From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Apr 1 14:37:53 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 14:37:53 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Tillamook Forest Center hosts 'The Great Oregon Tree Plant' on April 4th and 5th Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64C63208C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE For immediate release Major media distribution April 1, 2009 Contact: Tillamook Forest Ctr, 503-815-6800 09-11 Tillamook Forest Center hosts 'The Great Oregon Tree Plant' April 4, 5 The Tillamook Forest Center invites Oregonians to "The Great Oregon Tree Plant" on April 4 and 5 at the educational and interpretive center on the Wilson River Highway an hour's drive west of Portland. To commemorate Oregon's 150 years of statehood and celebrate Oregon Arbor Week, the Center will provide native tree seedlings to participants and guide them to a planting site in the Tillamook State Forest. Tree planting outings are scheduled each day at: * 10:30 a.m. * 12:30 a.m. * 2:30 p.m. Those taking part in the tree-planting event will receive a certificate and a wooden "tree cookie" memento. Participants are asked to arrive a few minutes prior to their desired planting time. Tree planting will take one to two hours. Sturdy shoes are recommended, since the activity will take place on uneven ground. Dressing in layers is also advised, since the temperature is usually 10 degrees cooler in the forest. Family fun activities, special exhibits and guest presenters will also be featured throughout the weekend at the Tillamook Forest Center. Visitors are invited to: * Create art and crafts with tree leaves and bark * Watch a tree climbing demonstration * Ask a professional about tree care and preservation * Go on a tree scavenger hunt to win a prize * Plant a tree seed to take home and plant * Enjoy lunch provided by the Log Cabin Inn * Step into the shoes of citizens who helped plant the site of the Tillamook Burn and created the Tillamook State Forest Activities will begin at 10:30 a.m. each day. More information about the Tillamook Forest Center and The Great Oregon Tree Plant activities is available at: www.tillamookforestcenter.com/ ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Apr 2 08:28:09 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 08:28:09 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Budget Planning Update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64C63212C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: The Oregon Department of Forestry's Executive Team issued this budget planning update on Wednesday. This message contains details about the 30 percent General Fund reduction scenario for the 2009-2011 budget requested by the Legislative Fiscal Office. For questions about the Private Forests News service: Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ From: SEELY Clark W Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 3:30 PM To: ALL FORESTRY Subject: FYI - Department Budget Planning Update Hi everyone...as we mentioned in our last update, the Legislature's fiscal office directed state agencies in mid-March to produce new budget scenarios for 2009-2011 that would accommodate larger reductions than those submitted previously. The new direction was for a reduction scenario totaling 30 percent in state General Funds (primarily income tax dollars). We submitted our plan to the Legislative Fiscal Office last Friday, and wanted to provide you with some detail. We also continue to plan for 30-35 percent spending reductions in the State Forests Program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, necessary because of the severe drop in demand for wood products and our associated revenues. An overview Uncertainty remains a constant, particularly in Private Forests and Fire, where state General Fund is a major revenue source. We won't know our General Fund allocation for the 2009-2011 biennium, beginning July 1, until the legislature approves our budget at the end of the current legislative session. This typically occurs about mid-year. Consequently, we currently don't know what level of reduction we will ultimately be asked to make. If reductions do, in the end, need to be made at the 30 percent level, the effects will be much greater than those in past reduction scenarios: In general, this would result in major work force reductions, and inability to completely fulfill even our most basic current responsibilities, such as administering the Forest Practices Act and protecting forests from fire. In the longer term, we believe reductions in our fire protection, education, landowner support and enforcement functions, and diminished assistance to local government and other organizations, would impact forest resources and hasten the fragmentation and loss of forestland. These outcomes would significantly degrade the environmental, economic and social benefits that Oregonians derive from our forestlands. As we work with the legislature in the current budget process, our job is to clearly describe the reductions and their consequences for Oregon. This is information the Governor and legislators can use as they determine how to allocate scarce dollars to meet a broad range of important public needs. At the same time we must keep in mind that these economic times will pass, and do what we can to ensure that whatever budget is passed at the end of this legislative session, we can maintain a structure on which we can rebuild in the future. In creating our 30 percent reduction scenario, we held to our principle of looking first to Private Forests, given the risks associated with further reducing our fire protection capacity. The first 23 percent of the reduction, building on earlier scenarios and the Governor's recommended budget for 2009-2011, comes in Private Forests, with the remainder in Fire. Private Forests Combined with lost matching funds, primarily Forest Products Harvest Tax, the General Fund reduction in Private Forests constitutes an overall program reduction of 83 percent. What staff resources would be lost? The reductions would include: * 50 of our 57 stewardship foresters, leaving about one position in each of our three operating areas funded to administer the Forest Practices Act. * Salem staff providing civil penalty administration, geotechnical and other specialized support, effectiveness monitoring, Oregon Plan salmon recovery work, and most insect and disease work. * Commensurate reductions in management and support staff both in the field and in Salem, including in agency-wide administrative services. What services would be lost? These would include: * Most informational and technical services to landowners, from larger corporations to small family woodland owners. * Adequate monitoring and enforcement of most requirements of the Forest Practices Act, with minimal monitoring and enforcement of reforestation requirements. * The capacity to ensure compliance with the federal Clean Water Act, pesticide regulations, and state fish passage requirements through a regulatory approach, particularly on an intergovernmental basis. * Closure of some offices around the state (a result of combined reductions in all three operating programs). What would remain? The primary elements would include: * Minimal field staff to respond to public complaints specific to resource protection on private forestlands. * Federally funded grant assistance to landowners. * Minimal insect and disease staff to administer a federally funded Sudden Oak Death eradication program, and to conduct forest health and reforestation surveys in alternating years. * A much-reduced administrative capacity to oversee and support the remaining functions. Fire Program Combined with lost matching funds, primarily landowner assessments, a 7 percent General Fund reduction in Fire creates an overall program reduction of 17 percent. The effect would be equivalent to eliminating fire protection on about 2.7 million of the 16 million acres we protect. Although our scenario sketches out a $3.4 million General Fund reduction, we believe that overall fire protection costs would actually increase, by $5-$7 million per year, as more fires escape initial attack and grow large, and fewer resources are available to fight them. What capacity would be lost? The reductions would include: * All aircraft contracted by districts. Instead, we would seek out these resources when the need arises, subject to their availability at the time - a major reduction in initial attack capability. * 71 of our 220 initial attack engines, with their crews. * Staffing for about 15 of our 25 fire lookouts, and half the funding for our detection camera program, which currently maintains 18 cameras. * Reductions in headquarters support. * More than $500,000 for safety equipment, tools and professional services. * Reductions in dispatching, fire prevention, program administration and associated agency-wide administrative services. What would remain? Reductions of this order would leave the program severely compromised in a number of ways, including: * Lower protection levels that would mean more damage to resources and property, diminished public and firefighter safety, potential loss of the Bureau of Land Management Western Oregon protection contract, and higher premiums for Oregon's wildfire insurance policy, if a policy could even be obtained. * A diminished prevention program, with a resulting increase in fires from forest activities and the general public, and less cost recovery from those responsible. * Management and administrative reductions that would compound our challenges in accounting, cost reimbursement and other functions. Next steps, and more information In Salem and in the field, we're continuing to address the fast-changing economic and budget situation: * Leaders in all programs will continue to provide specific information directly to employees. * We're developing a pool of services and information about layoff procedures, career transition and other topics, to complement services offered across state government by the Department of Administrative Services. You'll find details on our Human Resources intranet page, at http://www.odf.state.or.us/hr/default.asp, in the Employee Resources and Management resources sections, and more information will be coming in the next few weeks. * Directors of the agency's administrative programs are currently assessing the impacts of the operating programs' reductions on internal service needs, and developing administrative reduction options. * We're working with state and federal agencies to secure federal stimulus dollars. These funds are intended to put Oregonians to work as quickly as possible, and will also allow us to fill a few positions necessary to administer the projects. * We have much more to do. The challenges include coordinating the reductions in State Forests, over which we have more control than General Fund reductions in Private Forests and Fire, to make our agency-wide reduction planning process as orderly as we can. * We're still assessing some major questions, including the overall impact on Fire from reductions in the other programs, and how state laws may need to be changed or suspended to reflect our reduced capacity. * Upcoming key events include our department's budget hearings before the Legislature's Ways and Means Committee, beginning in late April, and the next state government revenue forecast, in mid-May. We'll continue to update you about these and other developments. Thank you We can't say often enough what a privilege it is to provide leadership to this department, and to all of you who continue to provide a high level of work and service to Oregonians during such a difficult and uncertain period. Please don't hesitate to contact your supervisor or any of us if you have questions. In the future we will strive to provide these agency-wide updates at least every two weeks, and welcome your input as a means of making them as useful to you as possible. Thanks once again for your dedication and service to Oregon's citizens and its forests. Jim Paul Paul Bell Private Forests Division Chief Fire Protection Division Chief Nancy Hirsch Clark Seely State Forests Division Chief Associate State Forester -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Apr 2 10:13:50 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 10:13:50 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon's Arbor Week starts Monday Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64C63217C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE April 1, 2009 09-12 Contact: Paul D. Ries 503.945.7391 Cynthia Orlando 503-945-7421 Oregon's Arbor Week starts Monday Oregon breaks the 50 "Tree City" mark Beginning next week, during Oregon's Arbor Week, 52 Oregon cities will be recognized as Tree City USA (TCUSA) communities - the highest ever total for the state. Newest additions to the growing list of tree-friendly communities are the cities of Dallas, Lincoln City and Gresham, who are receiving their first-ever awards this month. Tree City USA, a program of the National Arbor Day Foundation sponsored by the Oregon Department of Forestry, recognizes cities that develop programs to plant and care for trees. "Trees are important to the quality of life here in Oregon, where we have some of the most productive forestland in the world and some of the most livable cities around," says Paul Ries, who manages the Oregon Department of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Program. Trees and forests enhance quality of life in many ways, including providing fish and wildlife habitat, wood products, shade, and clean, healthy streams, adds Ries. In addition to the three new TCUSA cities, Oregon "Tree Cities" earning recertification this year include: Albany * Ashland * Baker City * Banks * Beaverton * Bend * Brownsville * Coburg Coos Bay * Corvallis * Cottage Grove * Eagle Point * Echo * Eugene * Forest Grove * Gervais * Grants Pass * Happy Valley * Klamath Falls * La Grande * Lake Oswego * Lebanon * Madras * McMinnville * Medford * Metolius * Monmouth * Philomath * Portland * Redmond * Reedsport * Rogue River * Salem * Sandy * Scio * Seaside * Sherwood * Sisters * Sunriver * Sweet Home * Talent * Tigard * Tillamook * Toledo * Troutdale * Tualatin * West Linn * Willamina * Wilsonville. The many cities currently planning Arbor Week events with ceremonies or tree plantings include Ashland, Bend, Coburg, Corvallis, Klamath Falls, Lebanon, Portland, Salem, Tigard, and Wilsonville. However, just because you don't see your city listed here doesn't mean an event isn't planned, so check with local city government officials for details pertaining to your community. Planting trees a meaningful way to celebrate state's 150th birthday Planting trees is one way people can continue to celebrate Oregon's "Sesquicentennial," the state's 150th anniversary. Many of the Tree City USA communities are including their Arbor Week ceremonies as part of "The Great Oregon Tree Plant," a statewide recognition program of 150 tree planting events. Each planting project is receiving an Oregon 150 commemorative plaque. Tips for tree planting at home For homeowners, now is an excellent opportunity to take stock of trees and plan for the future. Consider how planting new trees might improve the look of your property and provide wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, a visual screen, and wind or heat protection. For long-term success, remember these tree planting tips. Trees are often not given their best odds for long-term survival and growth because they are planted too deeply. When planting a tree, never dig the hole deeper than necessary and plant the tree with the root collar at ground level or slightly (2") higher to allow for settling. Also remove all containers, wire, plastic and string from the trunk and roots before planting. Fertilizing at the time of planting is not necessary, but the tree should be deeply watered after planting. Common symptoms of newly planted trees that have been too deeply planted include yellow foliage, fall color that comes earlier than usual, and leaf drop. To learn more about Arbor Week, visit http://www.arborday.org/oregon/. More information about trees can be found at www.treesaregood.com. # # # For information / questions regarding the Private Forests News service: Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Apr 7 14:12:24 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 14:12:24 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Schedules Meetings to Gather Public Input on Tillamook, Clatsop State Forests Management Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F472079@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News members: ODF is seeking public comment regarding management plans for the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests. News release follows... Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NW Oregon Media Distribution April 7, 2009 Jeff Foreman, (503) 945-7506 Meetings scheduled to gather public input on proposed revisions to implementation plans for Tillamook and Clatsop state forests The Oregon Department of Forestry has scheduled meetings in Forest Grove, Tillamook and Astoria to gather public input on proposed revisions to plans for implementing management of the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests. The first meeting is April 13 at the Forest Grove District office, 801 Gales Creek Road; the second is April 16 at the Tillamook District office, 5005 E. Third Street; and the third is April 21 at the Astoria District office, 92219 Highway 202. All the meetings will go from 6 to 8 p.m. The focus of each meeting will be on the implementation plan for the district in that location. A brief explanation about implementation plans and why revisions are being proposed is planned at the beginning of each meeting. The rest of the time will be used to answer questions and gather public input on the implementation plans. The meetings are part of a public comment period that started March 30 and runs to May 13 at 5 p.m. Comments may be provided at the meetings or submitted in writing to the district offices or the ODF headquarters in Salem. Also being reviewed are the forest land management classification maps, which describe the management emphasis for parcels of land. The classifications vary from general stewardship (actively managed), to focused stewardship (requires additional consideration) to special stewardship (restrictions apply). Implementation plans assess the current forest conditions (a starting point) and project a ?desired future condition? that extends out several decades. These plans describe management activities, such as harvesting, roads and reforestation, that will occur over a 10-year period and contain estimates of outputs - volume and stand structure - from the forests. Implementation plans provide the objectives for the annual operations plans, and they link the goals and strategies found in the long-range forest management plans to the annual plans. The implementation plans being reviewed are for Tillamook, Forest Grove and Astoria districts, which manage the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests. The implementation plans and forest land management classification maps are available at each district office and at the Salem headquarters. They are posted on the following ODF Web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/District_Implementation_Plan_Revisions_2009.shtml Implementation plans also can be requested from ODF planning specialist Roger Welty in Salem. Comments may be sent to him or to any of the three districts seeking implementation plan revisions. Welty can be reached by phone (503) 945-7258) or e-mail at rwelty at odf.state.or.us. The implementation plans for the three districts are being revised to: ? Incorporate new information, such as forest inventory (stand level), yield tables, harvest modeling and watershed analysis. ? Reflect changes in condition, such as land exchanges, and threatened and endangered species locations. ? Adjust forest land management classifications. ? Better achieve the Northwest Oregon State Forest Management Plan goals. Current implementation of the plan has not produced the level of volume promised when it was approved in 2001. The proposed revision to implementation plan reduces the long-term goal for structurally complex forests from 50 percent to 40 percent. Revised plans set harvesting at about 167 mmbf, while achieving 20 percent complex structure in 20 years. The current harvest level is 186 mmbf. The current complex structure level varies by district, with Tillamook at 6 percent, Forest Grove at 16 percent and Astoria at 21 percent. The current implementation plans were approved 2003. After public comments have been considered and any changes made, the revised plans will be submitted to State Forester Marvin Brown for approval. All state-managed public forests are actively managed as working forests under management plans adopted by the Board of Forestry to provide economic, environmental and social benefits to Oregonians. Each district covered by the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan and Southwest Oregon State Forest Management Plan has a 10-year implementation plan that describes how the management activities will achieve the goals of the forest management plans. The implementation plans are posted on the ODF web site at http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/District_Implementation_Plans.shtml Comments on the following key parts of the implementation plans and forest land management classification maps would be most helpful: accuracy of current condition, balance of desired future condition, planned actions move toward desired future, revisions meet greatest permanent value rule, roads have insignificant impact on water quality, recreation meets visitors? needs, and land classification appropriately designated. Comments and questions may be sent to ODF district offices or the Salem headquarters. They also may be e-mailed to Salem (specific district should be identified) to rwelty at odf.state.or.us. Addresses and fax numbers follow: State Forests Program, Oregon Department of Forestry, Attn: Roger Welty, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310. Fax: 503-945-7376. Astoria District (Clatsop State Forest), 92219 Hwy 202, Astoria, OR 97103. Fax: 503-325-2756. Forest Grove District (eastern one-third Tillamook State Forest), 801 Gales Creek Road, Forest Grove, OR 97116. Fax: 503-357-4548. Tillamook District (western two-thirds Tillamook State Forest), 5005 East 3rd St., Tillamook, OR 97141. Fax: 503-842-3143. # # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Apr 8 09:59:18 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 09:59:18 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board invites public help in crafting upcoming priorities Message-ID: <8624F561E5B896439490ED8208D03B0B05A14A2C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forestry Board invites public help in crafting upcoming priorities FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Distribution: Major Media April 8, 2009 Contact: Dan Postrel PH: 503-945-7420 What issues should the Oregon Board of Forestry put on its priority list as it works to toward its goal of sound, sustainable management of Oregon?s forests? Through its 2009 biennial issue scan, the seven-member board is inviting the public to help answer that question. Through May 22, people are invited to suggest forest-related issues for the board to consider as it sets its priorities for the next two years. ?Forests cover almost half of Oregon?s land area, and are essential to our state?s well-being, quality of life, and culture,? said Dan Postrel, agency affairs director with the Oregon Department of Forestry. ?The board welcomes ideas about how this valuable resource can be managed sustainably to benefit all Oregonians.? More information about the issue scan, including background on the board?s current priorities, work plans and strategies, is available on the board?s Web site, at www.oregonforestry.org. Input for the 2009 issue scan may be: * Emailed from the board?s Web site. * Sent by postal mail to Oregon Department of Forestry, Building B ? Attention: Dan Postrel, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. * Faxed to Dan Postrel?s attention at 503-945-7212. Email and fax submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on May 22. Mailed comments must be postmarked by that date. People are asked to limit the description of each proposed issue to 500 words. A work group that includes two members of the board will review and organize the ideas, seek additional information if necessary, and pass the comments along to the full board, with recommendations about priorities. The review will include comparing the suggested issues to the board?s current work plans to determine which ones are already being addressed. The Board of Forestry, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, oversees all forest policy matters within the state?s jurisdiction. The board?s duties include appointing the state forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, and adopting rules regulating timber harvest on private land. The board also provides a forum for public discussion and policy-making that addresses all of Oregon?s forests. The board uses its overarching strategic policy document, the 2003 Forestry Program for Oregon, for guidance as it sets priorities and plans its work. Information about the document, which emphasizes sustainability of a wide range of forest values, is also available at www.oregonforestry.org. ### From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Apr 8 10:11:53 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 10:11:53 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] PLEASE DISREGARD 10:00am send of "Forestry Board invites public help in crafting upcoming priorities" Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F4AE5B9@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Please disregard the news release "Forestry Board invites public help in crafting upcoming priorities" sent at 10:00am today -- this version was issued in error. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division ODF Agency Affairs From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Apr 8 13:20:52 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 13:20:52 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Board of Forestry invites public help in crafting priorities Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F4AE5BF@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE FORESTRY BOARD INVITES PUBLIC HELP IN CRAFTING UPCOMING PRIORITIES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Distribution: Major Media April 8, 2009 Contact: Dan Postrel 09-13 PH: 503-945-7420 What issues should the Oregon Board of Forestry put on its priority list as it works toward its goal of sound, sustainable management of Oregon?s forests? Through its 2009 biennial issue scan, the seven-member board is inviting the public to help answer that question. Through May 22, people are invited to suggest forest-related issues for the board to consider as it sets its priorities for the next two years. ?During economic times such as these, careful priority-setting is more important than ever,? said Dan Postrel, agency affairs director with the Oregon Department of Forestry. ?Forests cover almost half of Oregon?s land area, and are essential to our state?s well-being, quality of life, and culture. The board is seeking ideas about how this resource can be managed sustainably to benefit all Oregonians.? More information about the issue scan, including background on the board?s current priorities, work plans and strategies, is available on the board?s Web site, at www.oregon.gov/odf/board. Input for the 2009 issue scan may be: * Submitted from the board?s Web site. * Sent by postal mail to Oregon Department of Forestry, Dan Postrel, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. * Faxed to Dan Postrel?s attention at 503-945-7212. Web and fax submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on May 22. Mailed comments must be postmarked by that date. People are asked to limit the description of each proposed issue to 500 words. A work group that includes two members of the board will review and organize the ideas, seek additional information if necessary, and pass the comments along to the full board, with recommendations about priorities. The Board of Forestry, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, oversees all forest policy matters within the state?s jurisdiction. The board?s duties include appointing the state forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, and adopting rules regulating timber harvest on private land. The board also provides a forum for public discussion and policy-making that addresses all of Oregon?s forests. The board uses its overarching strategic policy document, the Forestry Program for Oregon, for guidance as it sets priorities and plans its work. Information about the document, which emphasizes sustainability of a wide range of forest values, is also available at www.oregon.gov/odf/board. ### From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Apr 10 10:06:09 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:06:09 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board to tour, meet in SW Oregon April 23 & 24 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F472566@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE For immediate release Major media distribution April 10, 2008 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, or Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420 Forestry Board to tour, meet in SW Oregon April 23, 24 The Oregon Board of Forestry will examine the social values of forests during a panel discussion on the morning of April 23 in Grants Pass, followed by a field tour. The board will address an array of issues concerning private- and state-owned forests during its business meeting on April 24. Board of Forestry tour and panel discussion, April 23 At 8 a.m. on Thursday, a panel of speakers will assemble at Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 604 NW Sixth St., in Grants Pass to discuss methods for measuring the ways in which forests contribute to the social wellbeing of communities. At 11 a.m., the board will travel to the Siskiyou Field Institute to hear presentations on forest recreation and stewardship contracting. The tour will return to Grants Pass at 4 p.m. for a tree planting ceremony in Schroeder Park to mark the Oregon sesquicentennial and Arbor Week. The panel presentations are open to the public. Members of the public are welcome to accompany the tour but must provide their own lunch and transportation. Board of Forestry meeting, April 24 Highlight items that will be addressed at the Board of Forestry meeting on Friday include: Voluntary measures for wood placement in streams, creation of stream buffers - The board will consider endorsement of two voluntary forest practice measures that provide guidelines for private landowners to follow in: a) placing large wood in streams to enhance fish habitat, and, b) creating vegetative buffers along small, non-fish-bearing streams to provide added assurances toward protecting water quality. Scenarios for managing the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests - Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will present six model approaches for the board to consider as it continues its work to update the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. Fish and wildlife Species of Concern - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and ODF staff will present highlights of a report about species of fish, birds, mammals and amphibians that occur in the State Forests of northwestern Oregon. The report summarizes information on populations, status, trends and habitat needs. Later in the meeting, State forests program staff will present strategies for maintaining and enhancing habitat while also managing for economic and social benefits. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in Basker Auditorium. It 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. 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). Executive session Following the public meeting, the board will meet in back-to-back closed executive sessions to: * Discuss real property (real estate) transactions * Continue deliberation on the state forester's regular performance review More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/. Background information on the agenda items is available through the 2009 Meeting Schedule link. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Apr 10 13:26:31 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:26:31 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Statewide budget hearings announced Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F4725DA@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News service members: The Ways and Means Committee of the Oregon Legislature has announced the times & places of several public hearings being held throughout Oregon to hear public comment on the 2009-2011 budget and the proposed state agency budget reductions submitted to the Legislative Fiscal Office. Members of the committee have indicated that public response to the proposed cuts will be vital to their decision-making process. Lists of proposed cuts can be found at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/comm/lfo/home.htm SCHEDULED MEETINGS April 20th - Lincoln City Lincoln City Cultural Center 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. April 21st - Portland Portland Community College Cascade Campus Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building Auditorium 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. April 23rd - Salem State Capitol, Hearing Room F (Video links to communities TBD) 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. April 29th - Bend Location TBD 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. April 30th - Ashland Southern Oregon University Stevenson Union, Rogue River Room 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. May 1st - Eugene University of Oregon Prince Lucien Campbell Hall, Room 180 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. An information sheet explaining the Oregon Department of Forestry's reductions proposed to meet a 30 percent General Fund reduction target for 2009-2011 has been developed -- please contact me if you would like to have that information e-mailed to you to assist conversations about potential service reductions. Thank you -- Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Apr 13 13:43:44 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:43:44 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands to meet April 16 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F47274A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands to meet April 16 April 13, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday April 16, 2009 at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D - Sun Pass meeting room). The public is invited to attend and participate in the advisory committee meeting. Committee members will hear reports from ODF staff regarding issues of concern to family forest landowners in Oregon, and discuss the impacts of proposed 2009-2011 budget reductions for the Oregon Department of Forestry on services to Oregon's forest landowners. 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. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7472. 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 ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Apr 20 08:16:36 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:16:36 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Message from State Forester Marvin Brown Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F5FAE95@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: State Forester Marvin Brown issued this message to ODF staff Friday afternoon. It provides an update on the budget process, first news of federal stimulus money awarded to ODF and an update on the transition in the State Forests Division. For additional detail, I have attached Nancy Hirsch's message regarding the State Forests budget following Mr. Brown's message. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ From: BROWN Marvin D Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 4:56 PM Dear Fellow Employees, Our Executive Team has been doing an excellent job keeping everyone informed as we go through the legislative session, but I wanted to take the opportunity to offer this update myself. We have been working hard with stakeholders, legislators and others to provide a clear understanding of the impact potential budget cuts may have, and I believe that message is being heard by key folks. That doesn't mean all of our problems are solved, but the first step in this process is to have good understanding among the decision makers, and we and the stakeholders are being successful in that effort. I've had good discussions with the Full Ways and Means Committee Co-Chairs, plus a number of other full committee members, plus all of our Ways and Means sub-committee members, the Governor and the Governor's staff. Other members of the Executive Team have also been having productive communications with the people who need to hear our message. They understand the risks that are created by the proposed cuts to the fire program and we are now starting to build on that message by talking about the impacts on the private forests program and the state forests program. As I'm assure you're aware, the legislature is not in a position to do much about the state forests program, and as a result Nancy will be sending out information on how they intend to proceed with cuts. I think it is likely, though, that current balances in the state forests revenue account will not be proposed for other uses and this will allow a bit more breathing room for state forests. ((Ed note: Nancy Hirsch's message follows this one) We also got word today on the federal stimulus dollars we'll be receiving for forest health and restoration. This includes $2.7 million for sudden oak death, $2.2 million for state forest projects and what looks like even more substantial amounts for private lands projects. In addition, we have had several commitments to develop cooperative agreements around ODF personnel helping to implement projects on federal lands. The stimulus dollars won't be on there yet, but all other details around our budget proposals can be found on the website http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/budgetdevelopment.shtml. In terms of other legislation, the bill to update our fire protection land classification process has been passed and signed into law. We are making some headway on our land acquisition authority bill. A joint resolution recognizing the good work of the Federal Forests Advisory Committee is going forward. Also moving along is language that would create a "transfer of development rights" tool within the land use system that could help forest landowners realize better economic values from their land. As in past sessions, there have also been several discussions and proposals around the mandates and expectations for state forests. The Board of Forestry will be meeting on a special conference call Monday to discuss these measures and to act on my recommendation to create an official Board position in opposition to such changes. Another thing I should update you on is Clark Seely's retirement. We have decided not to move forward with hiring Clark's replacement as quickly as originally planned. Clark still intends to retire at the end of June and Paul Bell will still be promoted to Associate State Forester, but Clark has agreed to stay on in a full-time temporary capacity as Administrative Division Chief until the end of the year. This will allow us to continue drawing on Clark's experience and leadership until things are much better sorted out on the budget......and I really appreciate Clark's willingness to do this for us. So..... everyone remember to keep your head up.......feel free to get our messages in front of whomever you think is appropriate.....and know that we're all working hard to get to the best place we can. Marvin Brown *********************************************************************************************************************** From: HIRSCH Nancy Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 6:31 PM Subject: State Forests Division Budget Reduction Planning Update The Division has implemented a new quarterly update to the regular biannual revenue forecast (January and July). The purpose of the quarterly update is to monitor whether actual revenues and expenditures are in line with what was forecasted. The budget reduction planning effort and decision making will continue to be based on the latest, most accurate information available. April Forecast: Our March sales and appraised April sales were lower than our January forecast predicted, and expenditures are tracking slightly higher than predicted. The April forecast has incorporated this information and the results indicate that economic conditions are somewhat worse than predicted. No decisions have been made yet as a result of this information; however I wanted to share this information as it is relevant to our Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10) budgets. Further reductions may be necessary to incorporate this information. On the bright side, State Forester Brown stated in his message today that it appears the forest development fund (FDF) balance will not be used for other purposes through the budget process. This balance is critical to the Division and Agency. Given the worsening market conditions, this is important for the Division to be able to even minimally implement forest management plans through the next three to four years. In addition there are a couple other items relevant to the FY10 budget. There are some reimbursable funds that were not accounted for in the latest version of the FY10 budgets. Also, the motor pool funds are in a healthy condition which will likely allow us to forego vehicle replacement charges in FY10. These cost savings and expenditure reductions will help offset the worsening economic condition. Timeline Thursday, April 9: The Division budget reduction planning group met to discuss the final draft of the FY10 budget. The draft budgets met the levels established. This has been a very difficult process for everyone. Your patience and responsiveness throughout the process has been greatly appreciated. Thanks. There are some adjustments still to be made, which will be discussed at the Northwest Oregon Area Staff meeting next week and within a reforestation working group. Mid-late April to early May: Communication on what the Division will likely implement for FY10 - given the assumptions we need to operate under. Based on the April 9 meeting and the April 13 Executive Team planning group meeting, the timeline we have previously outlined remains - with a few more details to work out moving forward. In the next two or three weeks the FY10 budget will be confirmed. This budget will inform the reduction process, but the actual timeframes are still a little uncertain. The budget information will be shared with the Human Resources Program to coordinate the layoff process for those positions we are unable to sustain after June 30. It is expected that the layoff process would start between the first and third week in May. This would allow the processes associated with a layoff to be completed on paper in late May and in June. All employees would remain in their existing positions through June. In past few weeks, Human Resource Program leaders have visited with most State Forests Division employees about the layoff process and transition services. The information they have been sharing is also available on the ODF internal web site: http://www.odf.state.or.us/hr/default.asp?goto=Employee%20Resources July 1 would be the first day of implementation of the FY10 budget. The layoff would be in effect and some employees would shift to new positions. There have been a lot of discussions trying to decide if the State Forest Division can wait for the Private Forest and Fire budgets to be completed by the legislature. The Division leaders and the Executive Team agree that moving forward with the State Forests Division process is the necessary action. Waiting increases the budget challenges and would mean further reductions to make up the shortfall. This is not a tradeoff we are prepared to make. We will continue to assess the costs of this decision and it could change. However, for now we plan to implement the FY10 budget reductions on July 1. Lastly, I want you to know that you are all valued employees. These are challenging times for everyone and I appreciate the high ground you have chosen for walking through these times. Nancy Hirsch Chief, State Forests Division -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Apr 28 09:20:35 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:20:35 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forest Biomass Work Group meets May 7 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F5FB8B2@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forest Biomass Work Group meets May 7 in Salem April 28, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 A panel of representatives from state government, forest industries, renewable energy development and the environmental community will meet to talk about the role of Oregon's forests in providing energy production from wood. The Forest Biomass Work Group will meet on Thursday May 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the Administration Building (Tillamook meeting room) of the Oregon Department of Forestry complex, 2600 State Street in Salem. Timber that may not have a market saw-log value -- either from being too small, damaged, waste from mill production or being too far from a potential milling market - holds great potential for producing energy. Forest biomass is a renewable source of energy, as wood biomass is generated as a by-product of active forest management. The proposed agenda for the meeting includes update reports from Work Group subcommittees assigned to topics including policy development, outreach, research, economic development and fuel supply. Discussion is also planned regarding the opportunity for wood biomass fuel projects in Oregon created by federal stimulus funding. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at (503) 945-7427. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF. ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division ODF Agency Affairs (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Apr 28 15:40:58 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:40:58 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Wildfire Awareness Week 2009 targets backyard debris burning Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64F5FB98C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Keep Oregon Green Association issued this news release today. April 28, 2009 Contact: Mary Ellen Holly Keep Oregon Green Association 503-945-7499 Wildfire Awareness Week 2009 targets backyard debris burning Spring is the perfect time to remove dead vegetation and limb up trees around the backyard. By taking these steps, homeowners in Oregon's wildland-urban interface areas can reduce the chances of a wildfire devastating their properties. Safe disposal of shrub and tree trimmings after spring clean-up work is crucial. Every year across the state, backyard debris burns to remove yard waste escape to become costly, damaging wildfires. This past year, 206 debris burns turned into wildfires, burning more than 400 acres and costing over $280,000 to suppress. The majority of these fires were started on small parcels of land, in the wildland-urban interface, by the landowners. Chipping yard waste for use as compost is the safest method of disposal. But if chipping is not possible, please follow these safety tips to keep your backyard debris burn from becoming a 911 call: 1. Call your local fire district for permission to burn. Local fire officials may designate certain days for burning, based on weather and wind conditions. In some areas, burning is not allowed at any time. 2. Burn ONLY backyard debris. Some plastics, treated lumber and other manufactured products give off toxic fumes. 3. Cover a burn barrel with one-fourth-inch mesh screen. Screen that is too coarse, or using no screen at all, will allow hot embers to escape. 4. Keep burn barrels and burn piles away from structures, overhanging branches and autos. 5. Keep burn piles small. Add debris in small amounts as existing material is consumed. A burn pile is less likely to escape control if it is kept small. A large burn may cast hot embers long distances. 6. Attend your burn at all times. A burn left unattended for only a few minutes can grow into a costly, damaging wildfire. 7. Make sure your fire is dead out. When burning is completed, drown the fire with water, stir, and then drown again. Even when a fire stops smoking and appears to be out, an onset of windy, warm weather days or weeks later may rekindle it. These fires also take a human toll: Every year, 55-60 percent of all burns treated at the Oregon Burn Center in Portland are the result of backyard debris burning. According to the Burn Center, nearly every adult treated said they had always used gasoline to burn their piles and nothing had ever happened in the past. If your clothes should ignite, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL to smother the flames. NEVER, ever use gasoline or other accelerants to start or increase your burn. It isn't the gas that ignites; it's the fumes that the gas emits onto your clothing. Done correctly, trimming landscape vegetation and taking other steps to create "defensible space" - a zone around the house cleared of flammable materials that will slow or stop flames and embers from reaching the structure - can greatly boost the odds of your home surviving a wildfire. Tips on how to create defensible space can be found on the Keep Oregon Green website, www.keeporegongreen.com. Local rural fire departments, the Office of State Fire Marshal, and Oregon Department of Forestry offices are additional resources for this topic. ### Questions regarding the Private Forests News service? Contact: Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: