From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Tue Dec 2 08:59:32 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 08:59:32 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Budget message from Marvin Brown Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6453494CF@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News members: State Forester Marvin Brown issued this message yesterday following the release of the Governor's Recommended Budget, which does contain proposed service reductions for ODF, contained primarily within the Private Forests Division. Questions about the ODF Private Forests News service? Contact: Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ From: BROWN Marvin D Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 4:27 PM To: ALL FORESTRY Subject: from Marvin Brown Dear Fellow Employees, The Governor's recommended budget came out today, and given the attention that budgets and economic conditions have received of late I'd like to share some thoughts. Before I get to these, I want to say first that no matter the size of our budget, the number of people working for us, or who makes up the executive staff......you in the field and those serving on staff are the ones who make it possible for us to achieve our mission and deliver on our commitments....even when times get uncertain. Thank you so much for your dedication and continued hard work. It is so great to be able to work with all of you. So, to some thoughts on recent budget news. First, our success isn't measured by the size of our budget. It's measured by what we accomplish on the ground. The time to celebrate our achievements is not when we manage to get more funds and people. When we're able to improve our systems in ways that allow doing more with less, that's when we should be very proud of ourselves. Or when we can sell a major initiative that can make significant positive improvements to Oregon's forests, then that's what we should be passionate about. The reason we exist as an agency is because forests are important to people. Taking care of that resource should be our focus every day, using whatever resources we have available. My intent and direction is that we fulfill that responsibility with our normal can-do vigor and sense of commitment. Second, there are many government functions that are important to people. We are just one of those, and we're probably not the most important one. When I first started my career some 30+ years ago, a retiring director pointed out to me that those of us who are in this field come to it with such passion that we sometimes lose perspective as to where we rank among the myriad of human needs. When government leaders are making difficult choices about what to fund we need to take a breath and maintain an appreciation for the full range of government services that people need. Food, shelter, the safety and security of our families, the education of our children.....we can certainly make the case that forests play a vital role in providing for important benefits......but when it comes to filling basic needs we're just one of a cast of characters, many of them being arguably more important. Third, your agency leadership has done truly outstanding work getting us to this point in the process. I'm not talking about myself. The folks who lead the programs and support functions are the ones who are realistically and effectively anticipating what we need to be analyzing, sifting through every option, thinking strategically, being creative and spending numerous extra hours collaborating on what will produce the best possible outcome. They have put a heavy emphasis on planning and managing this in a way that will try to minimize hardships to employees. We know that the personal impacts from a reduction in positions weigh on everyone and your leadership is working diligently to mitigate those impacts whenever possible. We couldn't ask for a better group of people to be leading us through this effort. Fourth, there is never a good time to be "penny wise and pound foolish." When you have fewer people they need to be even better trained and equipped. When we're negotiating some difficult times we need more communication not less....much of that face to face.....even when that means travel to meetings. Training will continue, and as we should always be doing, we'll look for the most efficient ways to carry it out. We need to continue to make the right investments in equipment and capital.....including the potential land acquisition that we have discussed in the past. And finally, we are a long way from knowing what our final budget will look like. Our job is to support the Governor's Recommended Budget. What the Governor supports can evolve as the legislative session progresses and as the overall economic picture may change. We don't ever know what the course of that evolution may be, but trust that I and the other executive staff, as well as our stakeholders, will be fully engaged. At this point the budget recommends that the fire budget stay fairly whole, as does the state forests program, while private lands will take a slightly less than ten percent reduction in total. Jim Paul has done a good job keeping you informed on what such a reduction might look like. He's also nicely articulated that this is an excellent time to take a long overdue look at the Private Lands Program overall. The issues we're expecting to face in the future are not the same issues upon which the current program was built, and this is the perfect time to be bringing that conversation together. In order to keep the fire budget whole the Governor is recommending some of state forest timber revenues and increased landowner contribution proposals that will no doubt get plenty of attention from various interests. It looks like we have the opportunity to continue to pursue a possible land purchase which would be financed and then repaid through timber revenues. And we should have the chance to continue describing the merits of the Wildfire Reduction Act. Though some important initiatives like the federal forests liaison program are not recommended, there are major stimulus packages being discussed at the federal budget level that may eventually represent an opportunity. All in all....under the circumstances.....and knowing that you've got some determined folks at work....I don't think we're doing too badly. And where we have challenges, I have a lot of confidence that we will deal with them professionally and effectively. Marvin Brown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Wed Dec 3 12:45:57 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2008 12:45:57 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Seely announces retirement Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64534972A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News members: Associate State Forester Clark Seely today announced his plans to retire from ODF in July 2009. Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ From: SEELY Clark W Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 8:59 AM To: ALL FORESTRY Subject: My Future Plans Hi everyone...I want to let you know that I've made a decision to retire from the Department of Forestry on July 1, 2009. I chose this date, in part, because I think it will provide effective transition for the agency and my successor at the end of the 2009 legislative session and the beginning of the 2009-11 biennium, and it also allows maximum time for development of the 2011-13 biennial effort. As you can imagine, this is not an easy decision for many reasons, the greatest of which is ending the opportunity to work with so many of you on a day-to-day basis. While I have mixed emotions about leaving all of you and such a wonderful organization, I am ready for some new directions and pursuits in life and I'm looking forward to some change of focus and pace. To that end, Marvin and I have talked about some possible opportunities for me to continue to contribute and hopefully add value to the Department after July. In the coming months, we'll firm up those plans and share additional details with you. In addition, I'll stay fully engaged with the 2009 legislative and budget process, even if it continues past July 1, so there will not be a break in the legislative effort from my level until the legislature adjourns. So, we'll share more information soon about the recruitment and transition process and other details of the change. In the meantime, I'll look forward to continuing to work with you in providing our best efforts to Oregonians and all the stakeholders we serve. Clark _____________________________ Clark W. Seely, CF Associate State Forester Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State Street Salem, OR 97310-0340 Phone: 503-945-7203 Cell: 503-559-5807 FAX: 503-945-7212 email: cseely at odf.state.or.us WEB: www.odf.state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Thu Dec 11 14:02:51 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:02:51 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] 2005 SB 1072 State Forester's Report available Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6453B9A41@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News members: 2005's Senate Bill 1072 directed the State Forester to report to the Legislature and Governor on the effects of removing forest biomass and impacts on plant, wildlife, soil, water and air resources in Oregon. The 2008 report also summarizes the resource protection requirements in place, reflects on the amount of biomass currently being utilized, and provides State Forester recommendations for the future. That report is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry web site at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/PUBS/docs/ODF_Biomass_Removal_Effects_Report.pdf Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Wed Dec 17 11:12:12 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:12:12 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF - Committee for Family Forestlands to be a phone meeting Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6452ADD9A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Thursday?s Committee for Family Forestlands to be a phone meeting December 17, 2008 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 689-6879 The Committee for Family Forestlands will conduct a conference call meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday December 18, 2008 based at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street. Committee members will hear reports from ODF staff, review a presentation from the Oregon Forests Resource Institute about Oregon?s family forestlands, discuss the 2009-2011 proposed budget reduction plan for the Oregon Department of Forestry, and discuss Committee responses or policy implications for Oregon?s family forests resulting from proposed ODF service reductions. The membership of the Committee includes family forest landowners, forest industry representatives, environmental community and public members, and staff representing the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. The 10-member Committee for Family Forestlands serves an advisory role to the Oregon Board of Forestry regarding issues of concern to Oregon?s family-owned forests. The public is invited to participate in the advisory committee meeting. In the interest of public safety during the winter storm, public members wishing to join the meeting should listen in to the conference call. For information on joining the conference call, please call (503) 689-6879. Small-acreage private woodland owners and forest-owning families actively manage 4.7 million acres of Oregon?s forests, about 15 percent of the state?s forest footprint. Additional information about the Committee for Family Forestlands is also available on the Oregon Department of Forestry?s web site at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/CFF/cff.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Agency Affairs Office / Private Forests Division From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Thu Dec 18 16:03:57 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:03:57 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Budget Planning Update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6452ADDA1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ________________________________________ From: SEELY Clark W Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 3:57 PM To: ALL FORESTRY Subject: Budget Planning Update Hi everyone...on behalf of the Executive Team, Deputy Chiefs and Program Directors, I wanted to update you on our response to the budget reductions that we?re facing at ODF. We?re continuing to address ODF?s share of the budget shortfall affecting state government during the current biennium, while adding detail to our plans for the reductions we may need to make during 2009-11. 2007-09 Outlook: Using savings, reducing spending It still appears that we will be able to manage the projected shortfall for the rest of this biennium, which ends June 30, through accumulated savings and restrictions on spending, including holding vacant positions open. The next statewide revenue forecast, in March 2009, may well show that this budget gap has widened. As we?ve mentioned in our earlier messages, uncertainty may be the only thing we can count on during this period. However, based on the information we have now, we believe that our current approach will carry us through to the end of this biennium, even assuming some growth in the shortfall. Preparing for 2009-11: Planning to protect staff resources As you may recall, the Governor?s Recommended Budget for the 2009-11 biennium, beginning next July 1, adopts the 10 percent state General Fund reduction plan that we were asked to prepare earlier this year. Other than debt repayment and charges required of all agencies to support central statewide administrative services across state government, General Fund dollars in ODF occur in two operating programs: Private Forests and Fire. As an agency, we don?t have the option of reducing debt repayment or central service charges, so we have to look to the two General Fund programs for reductions. Just to be clear, there is no General Fund in any other agency program other than Fire and Private Forests, including Agency Administration, State Forests, Equipment Pool, or Urban Forestry. Given the risks involved in reducing initial attack resources, we decided to focus the reductions in Private Forests. We?ve convened a planning team, including division chiefs, deputy division chiefs and area directors, to guide the implementation of reductions. The team has begun a detailed look at current and expected vacancies, and will work with district foresters and other managers to determine how vacancies may best be used to provide opportunities for employees whose positions will have to be eliminated. The team will soon finalize and distribute to the Leadership Team an action plan, detailing how we will manage vacancies to best position the agency for potential future budget reductions. This will include a freeze on filling vacancies for permanent positions, with a review process that will allow for exceptions when they are in the agency?s best interest. Supervisors have already begun conversations with employees who would be affected if the Legislature chooses to implement reductions along the lines of those in the Governor?s Recommended Budget. These conversations will continue, and will become more specific, in early 2009. Some employees may face difficult choices, such as moving into a different or lower-paying position, or relocating to another part of the state. But as we've committed to you, we?ll do all we can to make options available that work for our employees and for the department, given the funds available. Implementing reductions in a way that aligns with our agency mission, and making every effort to minimize the impact on employees, are guiding principles for us. Going forward: Watching the economy, working with the legislature The environment of uncertainty around the budget will continue for some months. The March revenue forecast, based on continued monitoring of economic trends in the state and nationally, will provide new information about the budget outlook, both for the current biennium and for 2009-11. The 2009 Legislature, which convenes January 12, may have to make adjustments to agencies? current budgets, and will develop and approve a new statewide budget for the 2009-11 biennium. The new budget, developed during the first half of the new year, will likely include elements of the Governor?s recommendation, but will also reflect legislative priorities and interests, input from many stakeholders, and the latest available information about the state?s revenue outlook. The Legislative Fiscal Office has asked agencies to prepare scenarios for another 10 percent reduction above that included in the Governor?s budget, but we don?t know if those scenarios will be implemented. In short, we are a long way from knowing what our final budget for 2009-11 will be, but it?s important that we continue our reduction planning now. Other notes: Taking the long view of agency needs Maintaining key training opportunities. As Marvin noted in a recent message, there?s never a good time to be ?penny wise and pound foolish.? Even in times of reduced resources, we can?t lose sight of the agency?s long-term needs. For example, training and development remain important, to help people do their jobs today and to meet our long-term leadership needs. Accordingly, our budget team decided this week to proceed with planning for the next session of our Agency Leadership Program (ALP), to begin late next year. We?ll also continue to provide resources for orientation of recently hired employees, and for Covey 7 Habits training. And we?ll continue to look at the most efficient ways to carry out other necessary training, and to also appropriately and prudently manage other expenses. A new vision for Private Forests. Independent of the budget outlook, we?ve needed for some time to re-shape the Private Forests program to most effectively address the needs and trends facing Oregon?s private forests. Among other things, this involves looking to the future, and assessing what services would best assist landowners and improve outcomes in keeping forestlands as forestlands. What innovative funding sources, policies and other changes are necessary to support a program that helps to maintain the private forest land base, ensures resource protection under the Forest Practices Act, and delivers the best value to Oregonians? At its January 7 meeting, the Board of Forestry will consider a draft work plan that addresses such questions, with input from the public and stakeholders, in the coming months. A closing note It?s very unfortunate that we face these budget challenges as we head into the holiday season - I know that and mightily wish it were different, as I know you do. But as you also know, it?s important that we continue to plan for the future, and that we keep you updated on that planning and remain open to your input. Although these are uncertain times for many families, businesses, public agencies and other organizations, on behalf of the Executive Team, I sincerely hope the holidays bring you some rest, relaxation and quality family time. As always, if you have questions, please don?t hesitate to contact me or any member of the Executive Team. My best, Clark _____________________________ Clark W. Seely, CF Associate State Forester Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State Street Salem, OR 97310-0340 Phone: 503-945-7203 Cell: 503-559-5807 FAX: 503-945-7212 email: cseely at odf.state.or.us WEB: www.odf.state.or.us From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Mon Dec 22 10:39:55 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:39:55 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forest operators to receive awards at Forestry Board meeting Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6452ADDA8@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. For immediate release Major media distribution December 22, 2008 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, or 08-47 Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420 Forest operators to receive awards at Forestry Board meeting Jan. 7 Three forestry businesses will be honored as the 2008 Forest Practices Operators of the Year when the Oregon Board of Forestry meets on Jan. 7 in Salem. The award recognizes forest operators for exemplary work that exceeds standards for forest productivity and soil, water and habitat protection. The board will host a luncheon for the award winners. Department of Forestry budget, legislation Department of Forestry staff will update the board on the department's portion of Gov. Ted Kulongoski?s statewide recommended budget for the two years beginning next July 1. Staff will also present an update on the department's bills for the 2009 legislative session. These include proposed revisions in the system for determining which private forestlands qualify for wildfire protection by the department, and therefore are assessed fees to help fund this service, and changes to the board?s bonding authority. The latter would facilitate the purchase of a large tract of forestland in central Oregon, a proposal currently under negotiation with the landowner. State involvement with federal forestlands The board will consider for adoption a document prepared by its Federal Forestlands Advisory Committee that articulates the state?s view of how Oregon?s federally owned forests should be managed. The guidance document, prepared by a 12-member panel representing a diversity of interests, is a key step in fulfilling the direction from the governor and the Oregon Legislature for the board to become more involved in federal forest policy, planning and management. Private forests policy Retention of Oregon?s private forest land base is the primary issue addressed in a draft Board of Forestry work plan to be considered at the Jan. 7 meeting. Development and economic pressures are fragmenting many timber tracts, and causing others to be converted to non-forest uses. The draft plan begins a discussion with the Board to clarify and rank board policies designed to foster forest sustainability on the 11 million acres of privately owned forestland in the state. Board of Forestry strategic policy update The Board will continue work on draft mission, vision, values, and goals statements to be included in the 2011 edition of its strategic forest policy document, the Forestry Program for Oregon. Revised every eight years, the updated policy will retain the sustainable forest management framework employed in the 2003 edition. The 2011 version will contain stronger linkage to other strategic documents, including the Oregon Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the Tillamook Room ? Building C, at Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, 2600 State St., in Salem. The meeting is open to the public, and comments will be received on forestry-related items not included in the agenda during a public comment period shortly after 8 a.m. Members of the public wishing to comment on specific agenda items will have opportunity to address the board during the time each item is scheduled. Following the meeting, the Board will hold an executive (closed) session to discuss the State Forester?s performance review. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance can be arranged by calling the Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting - 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213 (in Salem). More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/. Background information on the agenda items is located under the heading, ?Staff reports.? ### Questions about the Private Forests News service? Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Mon Dec 22 10:44:10 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:44:10 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF News: Find out who owns that tree first before you cut Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6452ADDA6@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Find out who owns that tree first before you cut December 22, 2008 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Holiday time in the Pacific Northwest is full of traditions, including collecting holly, mistletoe, pine cones and cutting your own tree for decorating. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to remind Oregonians thinking of a ?do-it-yourself? holiday to check first if they can legally harvest items from the forest. Oregon?s forested area of 30.5 million acres ? roughly half of the state ? is controlled by several different owners. About 60 percent of Oregon?s forests are under federal ownership, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs or other federal agencies. The State of Oregon owns 3 percent of our state?s forests, concentrated primarily in the 781,000 acres designated as State Forests but also encompassing lands owned by state agencies and universities. Local governments and tribal governments in Oregon own 619,000 acres or 2 percent. The remaining 35 percent of forestlands are privately owned. Large industrial timber owners manage 6 million acres of forest while small woodland owners (including family-run forest holdings) own 4.7 million acres; about 15 percent of the forested footprint of the state. "Forest products (including fire wood) may not be removed from Weyerhaeuser forestlands,? said Greg Miller, Oregon public affairs manager for Weyerhaeuser. ?People interested in visiting and accessing our forestland should call our 24-hour Oregon Hunter and Recreation access hotline (1-888-741-5403). Please call before you make the trip into the woods.? Holiday decorative trees may be harvested by permit from federal forests; however trees cannot be harvested from Oregon?s State Forests, including the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests and the Sun Pass State Forest near Klamath Falls. Additional information about permits for removing trees from federal land, including the National Forests within Oregon, is available from local offices of the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Permits issued by USFS or BLM are valid only on federally-owned land in Oregon. The problem isn?t confined to December but applies year-round as Oregon?s private forest land also become popular for illegal hunting and harvesting other products from amongst the trees. ?It seems like the harvest of minor forest products such as mushrooms and brush has increased in western Lane County,? said Joe Lynch, stewardship forester with ODF?s Veneta office. ?Many times I run into folks deep in the woods in places that you would not expect. Some unfortunately also dump trash there or disregard private property rights.? Entering private land without consent of the landowner can result in a charge of Criminal Trespass, a misdemeanor offense, and Theft charges could result from items taken from privately-owned land without consent. "We regret that frequent instances of trespass, theft, vandalism, trash dumping, and abuse of our forest road system require us to limit visitor access to our forestlands,? said Miller. ?Please report such illegal activity when you see it." Weyerhaeuser officials stress the importance of calling ahead to the company?s 888-741-5403 number for more information. "Safety and forest resource protection are our top concerns when visitors access our forestlands,? said Miller. ?Please listen carefully to the requirements, restrictions and prohibitions listed on the recorded message, which is updated as conditions change." Permit requirements for removing products from state-owned forests vary from district to district; please contact your local ODF office for additional information. Contact information for Oregon Department of Forestry offices throughout the state is available on ODF?s web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### On the Web: Oregon Department of Forestry: www.oregon.gov/ODF U.S. Forest Service Region Six: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/welcome.shtml Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office: http://www.blm.gov/or/index.php Weyerhaeuser Molalla Tree Farm access permits: http://www.quality-service-inc.com/5.html >>>>>>>>> Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Wed Dec 24 08:05:41 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:05:41 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Statesman Journal editorial Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6452ADDAF@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News members: Clint Bentz authored an editorial about the future of family forest ownership that was published in Tuesday's Salem Statesman Journal. Link is attached below... Family forests vital to all Oregonians' descendants http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20081223/BUSINESS01/812230308 Have a wonderful holiday season. It will be a White Christmas for many in western Oregon. Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Mon Dec 29 09:04:06 2008 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:04:06 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board begins 2009 with new members Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6453BA696@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE For immediate release Major media distribution December 29, 2008 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, or 08-49 Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420 Forestry Board begins 2009 with new members The Oregon Board of Forestry will begin 2009 with a changed lineup when it meets on Jan. 7 in Salem. Former World Forestry Center President John Blackwell will fill the board's vacant chair position, joined by new member Steven Wilson, secretary of the labor group, Woodworkers District Lodge No. 1. Appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and confirmed earlier this month by the Oregon Senate in an action that also included the reappointment of Jennifer Phillippi to a second term, the two new members fill vacancies left by former Board Chair Stephen Hobbs, Corvallis, and member Barbara Craig, Portland. Blackwell cited a record in leadership positions with the World Forestry Center, Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission and other organizations as evidence of his ability to bring disparate interests together to build upon common conservation values. "I hope to apply my experience, accomplishments and values to sustaining Oregon's forests," he said, "while leaving a legacy to those who will rise above conflict." As secretary-treasurer of the Gladstone, Oregon-based branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Wilson has represented workers in the wood products industry for the past 23 years. A former mayor and city councilman in Reedsport, he has a strong commitment to Oregon's forest-dependent towns. "I believe I have a good grasp of the interests of timber industry communities and the effects of how the forests are managed," he said, "along with a keen interest in the environmental issues surrounding Oregon today." President of Perpetua Forests Company and an owner of Cave Junction-based Rough & Ready Lumber Company, Phillippi is a fourth-generation Oregonian and third-generation family sawmill owner. In her first term on the board, she took an active role in developing the Forestry Program for Oregon, the board's strategic policy. The 2003 policy update was distinguished by the inclusion for the first time of a sustainable forest management framework. "I have found my fellow board members to be remarkable champions of Oregon and Oregon's forests," she said. "I believe that both my personal and forest business experience offer a useful perspective to the board." Wilson and Blackwell's terms on the board will run through Dec. 31, 2012, with Phillippi's term ending Jan. 31 of that year. More information about the Oregon Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/index.shtml. ### ODF Private Forests News service- Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: