From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Dec 3 15:15:27 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:15:27 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Two new directors named to OFRI board Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65BDE1065@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: Forwarding this announcement at the request of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oregon Forest Resources Institute News Release Contact: Dave Kvamme - 971-673-2948 Nov. 30, 2009 For immediate release . Two new directors named to OFRI board PORTLAND, Ore. - A former teacher and a forestry engineering consultant, both of whom also own family tree farms and volunteer their time to educate students about forestry, are the two newest members of the board of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. The new directors are Anne Hanschu, of Forest Grove, and Ron Stuntzner, of Coos Bay. They were appointed by Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown for terms beginning Jan. 1 and expiring in three years. They will replace Steve Woodard, owner of Woodard Forests, and Carol Whipple, of the Rocking C Ranch, respectively, both of whose terms expire in January. In addition to the new appointments, Brown reappointed Gary Springer, of Starker Forests, and Greg Miller, of the Weyerhaeuser Company, for second terms. OFRI's board comprises 11 members appointed by the state forester. Additionally, two ex-officio members include the dean of the Oregon State University College of Forestry and a public member appointed jointly by the president of the Oregon Senate and the speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. Oregon law stipulates that each of three producer classes be represented by three board members. The classes are categorized by timber harvest volume into small, medium and large producers. The other two forester-appointed members include one member to represent small woodland owners and one representative of forest industry employees. Hanschu fills the position on the board held by Woodard and reserved for small woodland owners. Stuntzner is taking Whipple's place as one of the three Class 1 representatives, defined by rule as those paying the harvest tax on 20 million board feet or less per year. The Oregon Forest Resources Institute was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1991 to improve public understanding of the state's forest resources and to encourage environmentally sound forest management through training and other educational programs for forest landowners. OFRI is funded by a dedicated harvest tax on forest products producers. New Director Biographies Anne Hanschu Little Beaver Creek Tree Farm Inc. A teacher by profession, Anne Hanschu has worked for nearly two decades to create a thriving tree farm that is also an educational venue for conservation and forestry that is visited by educational tours and visitors from around the world. In 2000, she and her husband, Richard, were named Western Regional Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System. Their 494 acres of tree farm properties are located near Banks. Ron Stuntzner Stuntzner Engineering & Forestry LLC In 1968, Ron Stuntzner opened a forestry and engineering consulting business that has grown to four offices - in Coos Bay, Forest Grove, Dallas and Brookings. He owns and manages a family tree farm and has been active with educational advisory groups for OSU's College of Forestry. He has organized a group of foresters, engineers and land surveyors on the south coast to present educational and career opportunities in these professions to high schools students from Coos, Curry and coastal Douglas counties. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Dec 4 08:18:15 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 08:18:15 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Budget update from ODF Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D51D745@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: Here is an update from the Oregon Department of Forestry Executive Team regarding proposed budget reductions being considered within the current 2009-2011 ODF Budget. This message was shared with staff on December 1. Questions regarding the Private Forests News service? Please contact: Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi everyone...about two weeks ago, on November 12th, we shared an update with you regarding our budget status in three different areas of focus and the potential impacts to the agency, employees, and our services. As we shared with you, one of these planning areas is the potential need to further reduce current state agency General Fund budgets depending upon decisions made by either the Legislature or the Governor in the coming months. With this message, we wanted to update you on this planning area, and provide more detail about what is under consideration. To recap the background, the Oregon economy continues to suffer from the effects of a serious recession, and revenues for state government operations are very uncertain. The Oregon Legislature will be convening in a special session in February of next year and it is expected that much of that February session will be centered around the budget and revenue situation. In order to prepare contingencies for a worsening budget or revenue outlook, the legislative leadership has asked all agencies funded with state revenues or lottery funds to prepare further budget reduction options up to a 10% of current budget level. For us, that means a General Fund reduction of about $4 million. In our planning for this response back to the Legislature, the Executive Team has chosen to return to our original strategic plan for General Fund budget reductions that we used for the regular legislative work last summer that produced the budget we now have. This means that we will propose reduction options that further reduce the Private Forests program, but because this doesn't get us to the full 10% reduction level agency-wide, we will also have to propose reductions in the Fire Protection program. And because part of the funding of the Fire Program's share of agency administration in this biennium is General Fund, we will also have to submit reduction options for agency administration programs. Part of what makes the reduction so challenging and impactful is that by the time decisions are made, there will only be about half of the biennium remaining within which to make the reductions, yet the target is based on the full biennial budget amounts. Our analysis and reduction planning work is complete for now and was submitted to the legislative fiscal office and Governor's staff yesterday late afternoon. Agency plans are being posted on the Legislative Fiscal Office website at http://www.oregonbudget.gov/ under the "Budget Reduction Options" item at the top of this landing page. The proposed plan, if implemented fully, would result in the following actions and impacts. The first three percent segment of the 10% agency total comes from Private Forests in order to result in the level of funding envisioned in last legislative session's reduction planning effort. This is a General Fund reduction of about $1.2 million, and would result in the loss of an additional 17 Stewardship Foresters, and the loss of another seven field positions state-wide that provide support for the Private Forests program. At such a level, the program would be unable to administer the Forest Practices Act in its current form, requiring changes to both Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes. These changes would result in shifting the Act to primarily a voluntary best management practices program in order to ensure alignment between the level of resources available to administer the program and legal mandates. The remaining seven percent segment of the 10% agency total comes from the Fire Protection and associated Agency Administration programs funding, and together, in a proportional way, represents a $2.8 million General Fund reduction, or a total fund reduction of about $6.2 million due to matching landowner assessments in the Fire Protection Program. For the Fire portion, this level of reduction directly translates to an approximate 22% reduction across the Department's Fire Program budget for fiscal year 2011 (the second half of this biennium) and therefore, a significant reduction in the level of protection, primarily impacting initial attack capacity. The 22% reduction is statewide across all districts and comprised of funds used for fire fighting and support staff in both local districts and headquarters staff, engines and engine crews, and key contracted resources such as district helicopters, air attack platforms, and dozer contracts. For the Agency Administration portion of the reduction, a total of eight positions in Salem administrative programs would be eliminated, or a 10% reduction in overall administrative staffing. Whether any or all of this plan will have to be implemented is still very uncertain, and again, decisions will likely not be made nor known until at least the end of February. If actions are implemented, then, as we have done before, every effort will be made to treat the position reduction and layoff process as effectively as we can for impacted employees. It is important to remember from the November 12th message that we are also underway with agency administrative cost reductions that will need to move forward regardless of the decisions around the 10% General Fund actions of the legislative or executive branches, in order to reduce our cost of operations in alignment with reductions already made in State Forests and Private Forests programs. However, if some portion of the 10% General Fund reduction is implemented, then the administrative reductions that we've implemented or are planning to implement will count towards the statewide action requirements. As we mentioned in the November 12th message, the Executive Team is finalizing the set of administration reduction actions at this time and we'll be sharing information about these reductions soon. Actions that are taken will begin to occur in early 2010. In closing As we have said before, we know that these past 12 months have been difficult, both organizationally and personally, and we know that budget reduction actions have real impacts on individual employees, their lives and their families. We also know that the news about reductions is hard to absorb and make sense of, and yet, we believe you need to know the full information as it is developed. Therefore, as hard as this news is, we know that it's important that all employees are informed as we go along. As always, we thank each of you for the great work you do in these difficult times, and please feel free to speak with your supervisor or a member of the Executive Team if you have questions. Best regards, Paul Bell, Associate State Forester and Chief Nancy Hirsch, Chief Fire Protection Division State Forests Division Jim Paul, Chief Satish Upadhyay, Chief Private Forests Division Administrative Services Division -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Dec 7 14:58:01 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 14:58:01 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets December 16 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D51DA64@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands meets December 16 in Salem December 7, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Family forest owners have a voice in Oregon's forest policy development through the 10-member Committee for Family Forestlands, which serves an advisory role to the Oregon Board of Forestry regarding issues of concern to Oregon's family-owned forests. The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday December 16, 2009 at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room). The agenda for the meeting includes reports from ODF staff regarding reductions proposed for the 2009-2011 Oregon Department of Forestry budget, discussion regarding use of conservation easements and communication with the Oregon Board of Forestry. 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. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7502. One-half of Oregon's 61 million acres are forested, with 60 percent of Oregon's forests under federal ownership, 35 percent privately-owned while state, tribal or local government ownership accounts for the remaining five percent. Oregon's forests are among one of the state's most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic and social benefits. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF. ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Dec 8 14:11:29 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 14:11:29 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets December 17 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D51DC71@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets December 17 in Salem December 8, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will update committee members on a project to assess Oregon's current forest resources on December 17. The 2010 State of Oregon Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy is designed to identify Oregon's current forest resources and, based on the assessment, develop a strategy for integrating federal, state and private forestry programs with efforts to address issues such as wildfire, maintaining forestland as forest, diversity of forest habitats for fish and wildlife, invasive species and climate change. The Statewide Forest Assessment will identify high priority areas within Oregon for taking action. The discussion regarding the Forest Assessment Resource Strategy project will occur Thursday December 17, 2009 from 10:00am to 12:30pm at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room). The coordinating committee will be updated on the status of Oregon's proposed Forest Legacy Program projects for federal Fiscal Year 2011 funding. Forest Legacy is a federal program that uses conservation easements or public acquisition to conserve private forest lands in areas where forests may be lost to non-forest uses. The program is administered in Oregon though a partnership between the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7368. The 2008 Farm Bill passed by Congress contained an amendment to the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act requiring states that receive Farm Bill funding perform the forest assessment study by mid-2010, with updates at five-year increments after that. States are also required to report on the effectiveness of how federal funding was used in priority regions. The Farm Bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which in turn provides funding for many ODF services in urban and community forestry, forest health protection, forest stewardship and state fire assistance through the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry Program. One-half of Oregon's 61 million acres are forested, with 60 percent of Oregon's forests under federal ownership, 35 percent privately-owned while state, tribal or local government ownership accounts for the remaining five percent. Oregon's forests are among one of the state's most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic and social benefits. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF. ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Dec 15 10:35:31 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:35:31 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board to meet and host workshop Jan. 6 and 7 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D51E551@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forestry Board to meet, host workshop Jan. 6 and 7 For immediate release Major media distribution December 15, 2009 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425 09-49 BOARD OF FORESTRY MEETING - JAN. 6 An update on the Elliott State Forest management and habitat plans, a report on working forests, and recognition of regional Forest Practices Operators of the Year will be on the agenda when the Oregon Board of Forestry meets Jan.6 in Salem. On Jan. 7, the board will hold a workshop with a public advisory group to continue its review of an administrative rule that guides management of the state forests. Land-use changes The board will receive an update on interagency land-use change studies from Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff. According to the "Forests, Farms & People" report prepared by ODF and the U.S. Forest Service, 98 percent of Oregon's non-federal land classified as wildland forest in 1974 remained in that use category when data for the report were collected in 2005. But the population density and number of structures within wildland forest more than doubled during that time period, raising concerns should the trend continue into the future. Elliott State Forest management, habitat plans The board will receive a progress report on efforts to revise the state's forest management plan and the federal habitat conservation plan for the Elliott State Forest. State forest work plan ODF staff will present updates to a state forest work plan approved by the board in September. The revisions better define the deliverables and timeframes contained in the earlier version. The staff report will also address eight points of concern raised by the board. State forest performance measures The board will review the performance measures and targets it adopted for the Clatsop and Tillamook State forests two years ago and consider improvements. The performance measures address the array of economic, environmental and social benefits provided by the two northwestern Oregon forests. Forest Practices Operator of the Year award Three forestry businesses will be honored as the 2009 Forest Practices Operators of the Year. 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. Sustainable forests roundtable ODF staff will report on progress in forming an Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests. In November 2008, the board conceived the roundtable as a forum to advance forest sustainability in the state by engaging a broad cross-section of Oregonians in the effort. Among its several objectives, the panel would promote forest management that integrates environmental, economic and social considerations. 2011 Forestry Program for Oregon update The board will consider adoption of draft objectives that would appear in the public review draft of the 2011 Forestry Program for Oregon. The document sets forth the board's mission and vision for Oregon's forests, along with the values that will guide its decisions over the next eight years. Statewide forest assessment and resource strategy Staff will report on the development of a statewide forest assessment and resource strategy to analyze forest resource conditions and trends in Oregon. Mandated by the 2008 federal Farm Bill, the effort will also provide key data for the board's forest assessment leading into the 2011 Forestry Program for Oregon. To meet Farm Bill requirements, the statewide assessment will be used to develop a five-year resource strategy for ODF's implementation of the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry programs, such as state fire assistance, urban and community forestry, forest stewardship, forest health protection, and forest legacy. Both the statewide assessment and the resource strategy will contribute to three national State and Private Forestry themes: * Conserve working forestlands * Protect forests from harm * Enhance public benefits from trees and forests The Jan. 6 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 an 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 ODF Agency Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting - 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213. BOARD OF FORESTRY WORKSHOP, JAN. 7 On Jan. 7 the Board of Forestry will hold a workshop with a public advisory committee about the "greatest permanent value" rule and the planning rules that guide the management of the state forests. When the board began a review of the 10-year-old rule this fall, it appointed a 14-member citizen committee to provide input for possible improvements. A major portion of the workshop will be dedicated to a review and facilitated discussion of the greatest permanent value rule by the advisory committee, with the board observing. In the afternoon, the board members will have opportunity to ask clarifying questions of the committee. In the closing session, the Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee (FTLAC) will offer comment and discuss the proceedings with the board. Established by the Oregon Legislature in 1987, the FTLAC advises the Board of Forestry and the state forester on the management of state forestlands. The Jan. 7 workshop will begin at 8 a.m. in the Tillamook Room - Building C at Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, 2600 State St. in Salem. It is open to the public. Public comment will not be taken during the workshop. More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/. Background information on agenda items for the Nov. 6 meeting is available through the 2009 Meeting Schedule link. ### Questions about the Private Forests News service? Contact: Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Dec 29 11:18:20 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:18:20 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] New OFRI publication explores research on amphibians and timber harvest Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D64DC1C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: This news release is forwarded at the request of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oregon Forest Resources Institute News Release Dec.29, 2009 Contact: Dave Kvamme, 971-673-2948 New publication explores research on amphibians and timber harvest PORTLAND, Ore. - Research conducted in the Pacific Northwest provides new insights on the effect of forest management activities on stream-associated amphibians, and a new publication from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute offers a synthesis of recent findings. Wildlife in Managed Forests: Stream-Associated Amphibians, is OFRI's latest publication, and it synthesizes the latest science findings to help forest managers, fish and wildlife experts, conservation organizations, regulators and policymakers to develop more effective practices and plans to protect amphibian habitat on managed forestlands. According to the research, protection schemes in place for fish habitat may not, by themselves, be effective for some amphibian species. Targeted and site-specific measures might be needed to protect them. For instance, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to forested buffers along streams, land managers might be encouraged to leave wider buffers in areas amphibians are more likely to inhabit, and leave no buffers elsewhere. Though not yet conclusive, recent studies have expanded scientists' understanding on how a significant number of Northwest amphibian species rely on perennial and seasonal headwater streams, while others rely on forested riparian habitat. Studies using refined methodology are also yielding insights into aspects of amphibian habitat, population dynamics and responses to habitat disruption. Stream-Associated Amphibians is the third in OFRI's "Wildlife in Managed Forests" series, joining Elk and Northern Spotted Owl. These booklets are recommended reading for forest managers but have proven especially popular with owners of small- and medium- size forestlands, who do not have staff biologists to interpret complex science. The publication grew out of a joint symposium held by the Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology and the Washington Chapter of the Wildlife Society in February 2009 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash. Publications can be ordered free online or downloaded at OFRI's Web site at oregonforests.org. -30- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Dec 30 06:25:07 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:25:07 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Comment Period, Hearings set in January for Changes to NW, SW State Forest Plans In-Reply-To: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D64DC9C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> References: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D64DC9C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65D5CAEDA@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: This news release addresses the forest management plans for Oregon's state-owned forests, but I have forwarded this to inform public members who may wish to participate in the hearings process. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 ________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Major Media Distribution Dec. 29, 2009 Jeff Foreman, (503) 945-7506 Public comment period, hearings set in January for changes to NW, SW state forest management plans The Oregon Department of Forestry has scheduled a comment period and two public hearings in January to review proposed changes to its plans for northwest and southwest state-managed forests. The comment period starts Jan. 1, and written input must be received by Jan. 29. The comment period and the hearings are part of a process to change administrative rules, which is necessary because the Board of Forestry has adopted the plans as rules. The two public hearings ? both from 5:30 to 9 p.m. ? will be held Jan. 26 in Salem and Jan. 28 in Seaside. The Board of Forestry is scheduled to consider results from the rulemaking process at its April 2010 meeting. If the board approves administrative rule changes, on-the-ground changes in management of these forestlands would likely take effect following revisions to implementation plans. The proposed changes to the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan affect about 630,000 acres of forestland. This includes the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam state forests, along with scattered tracts in the Coast Range of Polk, Benton, Lincoln and Lane counties. The proposed changes to the Southwest Oregon State Forest Management Plan affect about 18,000 acres of blocked and scattered lands in Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Jackson counties. In total, these lands comprise less than 3 percent of Oregon?s forestland. A proposed change to the plan for managing northwest state forests adjusts the long-term landscape goal for older-type forests. The goal would go from 40-60 percent of the landscape to 30-50 percent. This adjustment will allow for greater economic returns through timber harvest, but still at a level of estimated output under (72 percent) an industrial model. For both the northwest and southwest plans, the Board of Forestry approved language for implementing new strategies for species of concern. The strategies will replace all references to a proposed federal habitat conservation plan that was not completed. The strategies provide additional conservation tools to maintain and enhance habitat for 40 species, including federal and state threatened and endangered species. The species list was identified by ODF and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Salem meeting Jan. 26 will be at the ODF headquarters, 2600 State St., in the Tillamook Room. The Seaside meeting Jan. 28 will be at the City Hall, 989 Broadway, in the council chambers. Comments should be sent to Jeff Foreman. They can be e-mailed to jforeman at odf.state.or.us; mailed to 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310; or faxed to (503) 945-7376. Copies of the plans and their changes are available on the ODF Web site. Questions should be directed to Foreman at (503) 945-7506. # # # #