From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Mon Feb 2 08:11:52 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 08:11:52 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Three new directors join OFRI board Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B648099B5B@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Forwarding on behalf of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute... Oregon Forest Resources Institute News Release Feb. 2, 2009 Contact: Dave Kvamme, OFRI - 971-673-2948 Three new directors join OFRI board The Oregon state forester has appointed three new directors to the board of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute to fill vacancies as terms expired. The three new directors' terms began Jan. 1 and expire in three years. The new directors are R. Wade Mosby of Lake Oswego, Steven J. Zika of Portland, and Bill Kluting of Monmouth. They were appointed by State Forester Marvin Brown. OFRI 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. Bill Kluting is the legislative affairs representative for the Carpenters Industrial Council. Before joining the CIC, he worked as an electrician for 37 years at the Willamette Industries mill in Dallas until the mill closed in 2000. He has been a member of the CIC for 46 years and is a member of the governor-appointed Federal Forest Advisory Committee. The CIC includes locals and district councils across the United States. The majority of the union's members are employed in the forest products industry. As an OFRI director, Kluting represents forest industry employees. Wade Mosby is a senior vice president with the Collins Companies, a forest products company headquartered in Portland. A native of Sweet Home, Mosby has worked in the Oregon forest sector for more than 35 years. He joined the Collins Companies in 1990. He is a founding member of the Forest Stewardship Council, an international third-party forest certification system. He is a co-founder and director emeritus of Forest Trends and founding director emeritus of the Oregon Natural Step Network. He serves on the boards of Mull Drilling Co., Sustainable Northwest, American Forest Resources Council, Keep Oregon Green, the Biomass Power Association, the Oregon Business Association and the Composite Panel Association. In his OFRI director position, Mosby represents Class 1 producers, defined as those paying a harvest tax on 20 million board feet per year or less. Steve Zika is the chief executive officer of Hampton Affiliates, a family-owned forest products company based in Portland with mills and timberland in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. His career spans 30 years in public accounting and private industry, the most recent 13 years in executive positions with Hampton Affiliates. He currently serves on the boards of the Western Wood Products Association, American Forest Resources Council, Council of Forest Industries and Associated Oregon Industries. Zika's board position represents Class 3 producers, those companies paying a harvest tax on 100 million board feet per year or more. In addition to the three new appointees, OFRI's board includes eight other 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 nine board members represent each of three producer classes. The classes are categorized by timber harvest volume into small, medium and large producers. The other two forester-appointed members include one member representing small woodland owners and one representative of forest industry employees. OFRI is funded by a dedicated harvest tax on forest products producers and does not receive monies from the state's general fund. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Wed Feb 4 09:30:49 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 09:30:49 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forest Biomass Work Group meets February 17 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6480B6CCB@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS BRIEF Forest Biomass Work Group meets February 17 in Salem February 4, 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 Tuesday February 17 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. The public is invited to 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 ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Thu Feb 5 16:04:44 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 16:04:44 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF and Oregon's 150th Anniversary Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64809A232@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News members: State Forester Marvin Brown issued this message today about how ODF is involved with activities to mark Oregon's 150th anniversary of statehood this year -- including activities on Statehood Day, February 14th. Questions about the Private Forests News service? Contact: Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer -- Private Forests Division / Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ Fellow ODF Employees, This year marks the 150th anniversary of Oregon's statehood - our "sesquicentennial" in official terms. A statewide steering committee of public and private partners has been working to commemorate the occasion, and Governor Kulongoski has called on state agencies to join in the activities. In addition, we at ODF will soon reach our own significant milestone. In 2011, the agency will be 100 years old. We certainly plan to recognize this important achievement in many ways, and at that time will be celebrating our own agency and its history in Oregon. ODF's Oregon 150 activities are focused more generally on celebrating Oregon's forests - their role in making "Oregon Oregon," and the opportunities and challenges they present for our future. Both of these occasions are important. We'll celebrate them in ways that reflect the current economic realities - with an emphasis on volunteerism and teaming up with other organizations. Jeri Chase is our agency's Oregon 150 Coordinator, and a small group that includes representation from the Oregon Forestry Retirees Association has been working to plan and develop agency events and activities. Here are some highlights of our Oregon 150 plans: -- In the Great Oregon Tree Plant, we're coordinating 150 tree planting ceremonies in urban, suburban and rural settings between February 14 (Oregon's official birthday), and Arbor Week, in late April. The first planting will happen during celebrations on the state Capitol grounds, and the Board of Forestry will conduct the final one during their April meeting in Grants Pass. -- Also as part of the celebrations at the Capitol on the 14th, we'll be providing activities for kids and information about forests. -- One issue of our Forests for Oregon quarterly magazine will focus on the sesquicentennial theme. -- The Oregon Forest History Roundtable, scheduled for May 15 at the Tillamook Forest Center, will bring together history experts for a series of presentations on the role of forests in Oregon's history. -- Oregon's 150th birthday will be the theme at the 2009 State Fair, which will mark the statewide culmination of the celebration. ODF's State Fair presence will be devoted primarily to the sesquicentennial. -- Volunteers are putting together other exhibits and displays for use at the Capitol, the Tillamook Forest Center, and the Forest History Center on the Salem campus. These will also be available for use in ODF offices around the state on a traveling basis - at district office "open houses," for example, if folks choose to organize one. There are many other ways you and your family can celebrate Oregon's 150th birthday. These include participating in Take Care of Oregon community activities organized by various groups, or posting your personal stories on the Web. You'll find more information about these and other opportunities at www.oregon150.org. If you have any questions about the agency's participation in Oregon 150, please feel free to contact any of the ODF Oregon 150 Steering Committee members - Jeri Chase, Doug Decker, Jim Fisher, Alan Maul, Dan Postrel, Clark Seely, or Dan Thorpe. Thanks Marvin Brown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Wed Feb 11 14:14:41 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:14:41 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Department invites public to February 26 meeting in Springfield Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6481E0F6B@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forestry Department invites public to February 26 meeting in Springfield February 11, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks, (503) 945-7427 Public members are invited to attend a meeting in Springfield to comment and hear updates from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) regarding proposed revisions to Oregon's forest management rules. A meeting of the Regional Forest Practices Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday February 26 at ODF's Springfield District office, 3150 Main Street. Staff reports are scheduled to begin at 9:00am. The meeting on February 26 is a joint session of the Northwest Oregon and Southwest Oregon committees. Oregon's three Regional Forest Practices Advisory Committee members are appointed by the Oregon Board of Forestry to review proposed forest practices rules. Committee members assist and advise the Board in developing rules appropriate to forest conditions within their respective regions of the state. The agenda for the meeting includes reports from ODF staff about the 2009 legislative session, prioritizing activities and workload for ODF's Private Forests Division during the 2009-2011 budget cycle, and a report on the development of alternatives and rule language options concerning public safety in forest areas deemed at intermediate risk of landslide hazards. Members of the public requiring special accommodations to attend and participate in the meeting should contact the ODF Private Forests Division at 503-945-7472 at least two working days prior to the meeting. Oregon became the first state in nation to enact comprehensive forest management laws in 1971 with the passage of the Forest Practices Act. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on the ODF website, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Thu Feb 12 07:16:06 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:16:06 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Budget Planning Update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6481E1017@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News members: Associate State Forester Clark Seely sent this update message to ODF staff Wednesday about the evolving budget reduction situation for both the present 2007-2009 budget and the pending 2009-2011 budget. Please note that the scope of budget concerns have expanded into the future of the Forest Development Fund, potential ODF layoffs and federal support from the national stimulus package being considered in Congress. Questions about the Private Forests News service? Contact: Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ From: SEELY Clark W Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 2:01 PM To: ALL FORESTRY Subject: FYI - Department Budget Planning Update Hi everyone...we're writing today to give you another update on the budget situation, our reduction planning, and next steps. Uncertainty - and continuing deterioration in the economic outlook - are realities we continue to face. If anything is certain, it's that the information in this message will change in the coming weeks and months. Tough decisions and actions lie ahead as the Legislature determines how to meet the state's highest priority needs during this recession. We'll continue to keep you posted as we adapt to the latest developments and prepare for the future. 2007-09 outlook remains difficult; revenue update coming soon The Governor and the 2009 Legislature are working to address shortfalls for the current biennium, which ends on June 30 of this year. An update released in late January estimated that the state's General Fund could be 3.7 percent to 6.3 percent short of the amount necessary to continue current services state government-wide through June 30 - a wider gap than previous forecasts had suggested. The state economist will release his next forecast on February 20, and we'll update you again at that time. In the meantime, the Legislature's joint Ways & Means Committee will hold hearings this week on the 2007-09 situation and possible reductions. The Committee will hear an overview of the natural resources program area on Thursday. Reductions are amplified when they must be taken entirely in the last several months of a two-year budget period. Accordingly, a biennial General Fund reduction of 5 percent amounts to a cut of about 25 percent of the funds actually remaining for the rest of this biennium. The effect is further amplified by the loss of matching dollars when General Funds are cut. We've taken various actions to save money this biennium, including holding positions open and deferring vehicle replacement payments in Private Forests, and suspending Sudden Oak Death treatments. But balancing the 2007-2009 budget is expected to require additional action, possibly including early implementation of reductions in alignment with the Governor's Recommended Budget for 2009-2011. It's important to remember that as we make reductions in our operating programs this biennium or next, we will also take corresponding reductions in administrative services programs based on reduced services required. Additional information about the 2007-09 situation is available on the ODF Web site, at http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/docs/2007_09_Red_Summary.pdf State Forests Division faces significant revenue problems Although much of our planning has focused on expected reductions in General Fund, which occurs in our Private Forests and Fire programs, we're also seeing serious erosion, due to the economy, in the timber sale revenues that fund State Forests. Studies of various scenarios suggest that our Forest Development Fund, which captures these revenues, could run out by 2010 or 2011 without cost-saving measures beyond those already in place, or a recovery in the timber market. A forecast issued last week predicts a 30 percent to 40 percent drop from 2007-2009 to 2009-2011. This is a more significant decline than earlier forecasts. Given current economic conditions, the short-term outlook is likely to continue to deteriorate. The State Forests Division will update revenue forecasts quarterly, monitor expenditures closely, and continue to implement additional cost-saving measures, including planning for staff reductions. Factors we must consider include managing the risks of timber sales going into default, our ability to sell timber in the current market, and shifts in the Governor's Recommended Budget of Forest Development Fund dollars to other uses within ODF. Harvest levels on the state forests are another key factor. While the Board of Forestry seeks long-term increases on the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests, a reduction is necessary to bring harvests to levels that are sustainable under current management plans. State Forests Division leaders and Area Directors are developing guidance for further budget reductions that will be needed through 2010 and beyond. Budget units will be directed to develop reduction options through the normal fiscal budgeting process. Direction will come initially through area staff meetings this week. As with our other budget challenges, the outlook and our plans will likely continue to change. Seniority information to be distributed As we've discussed in previous messages, the Governor's Recommended Budget for 2009-2011 includes a 10 percent General Fund reduction for ODF, focused in Private Forests. The Legislature has directed agencies to prepare plans for additional reductions above this level. Although we won't know for certain what our 2009-2011 budget will look like until the Legislature completes its work this summer, as you know, we have been preparing for reductions for some time. We're keeping positions vacant, trying to find more secure positions for employees in positions that will likely lose funding, and undertaking other measures. Although we will do our utmost to avoid or limit layoffs, if they are necessary, for union employees they must be accomplished according to specific provisions of the labor contract. Seniority is a key factor in this process. Many of you have asked for information that will help you ascertain where you stand in terms of seniority. Supervisors will be sharing this information in the coming weeks in conversations with employees most likely to be affected by reductions. It's important to keep in mind that this is not the beginning of a layoff process, but information that may help employees in their own planning. Should layoffs become necessary, our Human Resources Program will provide specific direction, notice, options and assistance to affected employees. More information about ODF reduction scenarios for 2009-11 is available on the Web at http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/docs/2009_11_Red_Summary.pdf Federal stimulus dollars will help You've no doubt read or heard news reports about efforts at the federal level to help stimulate the economy. Congress passed one large stimulus bill last fall, and is currently debating another. At a time when reductions dominate our outlook, the federal stimulus action represents some unanticipated additional funding. Based on the legislation that has already passed, it continues to appear that about $4 million will be available for fuel reduction treatments in Oregon. These funds are in addition to the normal Community Assistance, Western State Fire Managers, and State Fire Assistance dollars that we receive. There is a very strong expectation that states rapidly move these new funds into projects. We plan to accomplish this through a mix of existing but unfunded grant proposals, and new proposals submitted by districts. Our goal is to submit a complete package for use of these funds to the U.S. Forest Service by the beginning of March, and the funds may arrive as soon as April. We anticipate these funds might support as many as five or six positions in the field to administer fuel treatment projects around the state. Future federal action may bring additional dollars. We don't know at this point. In any case, we are focusing on how best to position ourselves to compete for and use any future stimulus packages. The bigger picture for ODF and its employees Like virtually all organizations, ODF will need to adjust to an environment in which funding is very tight. We need a clear understanding of what we can and should achieve with the resources we have, and of the best way to organize our agency to reach those goals. In addition to the strategic discussions occurring at the executive level, we're also working with the Board of Forestry on these questions. Our economy will always have ups and downs, and we will always adjust to them. Whatever our level of staffing and funding, we need a clear picture of how we can best serve the public, and of where we should head in the future. We'll also continue to share information, and to seek solutions that work best under the circumstances for employees and for the agency. Thanks very much for your continued hard work in the face of some of the toughest and most uncertain times we have seen. If you have questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact your supervisor or any of us. 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 Tue Feb 17 07:17:53 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:17:53 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands to meet February 18 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6481E138D@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands to meet February 18 February 17, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday February 18, 2009 at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D - Santiam 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 budget reductions for the Oregon Department 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. 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 Wed Feb 18 10:32:10 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:32:10 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] The Great Oregon Tree Plant Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6481E162F@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News members: ODF's Urban and Community Forests program would like to remind you the Great Oregon Tree Plant is underway. Additional information is contained in this Oregon Department of Forestry news release. Kevin Weeks ODF Private Forests Division (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oregon Department of Forestry FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 10, 2009 Contact: Paul D. Ries 503.945.7391 and Cynthia Orlando 503.945.7421 Governor Kulongoski to help kickoff Oregon tree plantings Gov. Ted Kulongoski and First Lady Mary Oberst will plant the ceremonial first tree of the "Great Oregon Tree Plant" this Saturday, Feb. 14, during Oregon's Sesquicentennial observance at the State Capitol in Salem. Under the banner of "The Great Oregon Tree Plant," which honors Oregon's 150th birthday, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is coordinating 150 tree-planting events all across the state, beginning on Statehood Day, Feb. 14, and ending in April, when National Arbor Day is celebrated. "Planting trees is part of Oregon's legacy," says ODF Urban Forester Paul Ries, "but this spring's tree planting events are extra special because so many events are planned to honor Oregon's anniversary of statehood." Between now and late April, some 150 tree plantings are anticipated to take place all across Oregon, in small cities like Durham (population 1,395) and Echo (population 710), and larger cities like Eugene, as well as Portland, where at least a dozen events are planned thus far. Many events are also slated for Oregon's Arbor Week, the first full week of April. Also on hand for the tree planting this Saturday will be Jack McGowan, executive director of SOLV, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the livability of Oregon through volunteerism, and Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown. Saturday's tree planting event at the Oregon Capitol State Park takes place at 11:15 a.m. on the Capitol Mall lawn adjacent to the State Library. Planning a tree planting? ODF is still accepting nominations of tree-planting events to include in The Great Oregon Tree Plant in honor of Oregon's Sesquicentennial. Tree plantings can be urban or rural, and involve landscape trees or native seedlings. If you have a tree planting event scheduled that you would like to be part of the Great Oregon Tree Plant, ODF would like to hear from you. The tree planting should take place between Statehood Day Feb. 14 and National Arbor Day, April 24. The Board of Forestry will be meeting in Grants Pass in late April, and will officially wrap up the Great Oregon Tree Plant. For each tree planting event, ODF will provide a commemorative plaque that can be placed in the ground nearby, explaining that the planting was part of Oregon's 150th anniversary celebration.. For more information on the Great Oregon Tree Plant, contact Paul Ries at pries at odf.state.or.us or 503-945-7391. To nominate a local tree planting event as part of the Great Oregon Tree Plant, contact Justin McMinds at justin.l.mcminds at state.or.us or 503-931-0315. # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Fri Feb 20 13:05:38 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:05:38 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] 2008 OWEB online reporting available Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6481E1A22@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News service members: The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is encouraging landowners to report their activities during 2008 in support of the Oregon Plan by using a new online form. This year, OWEB began offering an abbreviated two page form for timber operators that is specific for riparian activity related to harvest (voluntary tree retention). In addition, OWEB staff made improvements to the main Oregon Watershed Restoration Inventory form based on field testing, user feedback, and staff observations. Please add to the list of Oregon's accomplishments in watershed restoration by completing the online 2008 Oregon Watershed Restoration Reporting Form for all previously unreported restoration projects from 1995 to present. Due to the online form revisions, it is important that customers download the most current version of the form by visiting: http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/MONITOR/OWRI.shtml Please complete your online reporting for 2008 to OWRI by March 31st, 2009. If you would prefer to receive the 2008 online OWRI form and Adobe Reader software on a CD, please contact Bobbi Riggers with OWEB, 503-986-0059 or bobbi.riggers at state.or.us - The form will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete for each project. A completed submission consists of the OWRI form and a Project Location Map. OWEB offers online map-making tools to help you create project maps. For instructions on using these tools, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/Monitor/OWRI_mapping.shtml. Arc/GIS files also are accepted. For questions about map submissions, contact Ashley Seim with OWEB at 503-986-0186 / ashley.seim at state.or.us ODF support and questions regarding the Oregon Plan can be directed to Jo Morgan at 503-945-7469. Many thanks for the hard work landowners provide to restore watershed function, remove barriers to fish migration, improve habitat, and expand the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. 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 Fri Feb 20 13:53:37 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:53:37 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Location change for February 26 Forestry meeting in Springfield Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6481E1A39@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Location change for February 26 Forestry meeting in Springfield February 20, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks, (503) 945-7427 In an effort to improve public access, the Oregon Department of Forestry has selected a new location for the Regional Forest Practices Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for February 26 in Springfield. The public is invited to attend the advisory committee meeting. The public meeting, originally scheduled for the ODF Springfield office, will be held at the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, 101 South A Street in the Depot-Freight meeting room from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Time has been placed on the agenda for public comment beginning at 9:00am. Amount of time allotted for individual public comment relating to an agenda item will be at the discretion of the committee chair. The meeting on February 26 is a joint session of the Northwest Oregon and Southwest Oregon committees. Oregon's three Regional Forest Practices Advisory Committee members are appointed by the Oregon Board of Forestry to review proposed forest practices rules. Committee members assist and advise the Board in developing rules appropriate to forest conditions within their respective regions of the state. The agenda for the meeting includes reports from ODF staff about the 2009 legislative session, prioritizing activities and workload for ODF's Private Forests Division during the 2009-2011 budget cycle, review of a Forestry Program for Oregon indicator related to soil and water resources and a report on the development of alternatives and rule language options concerning public safety in forest areas deemed at intermediate risk of landslide hazards. The agenda for the meeting is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry website, www.oregon.gov/ODF under "Newsroom" then "2009 News Releases" Members of the public requiring special accommodations to attend and participate in the meeting should contact the ODF Private Forests Division at 503-945-7472 at least two working days prior to the meeting. Oregon became the first state in nation to enact comprehensive forest management laws in 1971 with the passage of the Forest Practices Act. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on the ODF website, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Agency Affairs / Private Forests Division kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Sun Feb 22 16:34:27 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:34:27 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board meets March 4 on state, private forestlands Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6480B6CF0@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ________________________________________ From: NICHOLS Rod L Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 4:49 PM Subject: ODF - Forestry Board meets 3-4 on state, private forestlands Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. For immediate release Major media distribution February 21, 2008 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, or 09-06 Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420 Forestry Board meeting March 4 to focus on state, private forestlands Ensuring the sustainability of Oregon?s state- and privately owned forestlands will top the agenda when the Board of Forestry meets on Wednesday, March 4 in Salem. Private Forests ? The board will discuss a draft issue paper on the challenge of retaining Oregon?s private forestlands in forest use. The paper summarizes the statutory and policy framework surrounding this issue, with an aim to help the board explore alternative policies for reversing the current trend toward fragmentation of forests and conversion of these lands to non-forest uses. State Forests ? The board will consider for approval a work plan that focuses on several issues pertaining to Oregon?s state-owned forests. The 2009 draft plan update identifies seven policy-level tasks: ? Improve the board?s set of performance measures for ODF?s State Forests Division ? Consider revision of the Northwest Oregon State Forest Management Plan to better achieve desired outcomes ? Consider for approval a revised State Forest Management Plan and a federal Habitat Conservation Plan for the Elliott State Forest ? Reaffirm the board?s vision for recreation on Board of Forestry lands ? Assess the adaptive management framework for the state forests ? Review land acquisition and exchange plans, and consider for approval specific acquisition and exchange proposals ? Evaluate opportunities for improving economic performance on board lands (timber and ecosystem services) Forest vitality - The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will provide a progress report on the Board of Forestry?s efforts to integrate key policy initiatives for private and public forestlands into a single board work plan. When the board approved the Forest Vitality Work Plan in 2005, it endorsed the concept of linking five policy topics: ? Ensuring the sustainability of private forestlands and improving the forest sector?s economic viability ? Creating a unified vision of the contribution of federal forestlands to Oregon ? Maintaining working forests ? Promoting practices to restore forest health ? Developing forestry carbon-offset markets The overall goal of the work plan is to encourage private and public landowners to continue to make investments to create economically viable and environmentally healthy forests. Department of Forestry budget ? The board will receive an update on the general economic and revenue outlook for the state as background for a presentation on the department?s fiscal situation. ODF staff will discuss the status of 2007-2009 budget reduction planning efforts. They will also report on progress to date in developing the 2009-2011 budget, with attention to state and federal economic stimulus actions and how they may affect department revenues during the biennium that will start on July 1, 2009. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the Tillamook Room ? Administration 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. 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). Upon completion of the regular business meeting, the board will enter into closed executive session to address two items: ? State Forester?s performance review ? Advice and counsel from the Oregon Attorney General?s office as to how Ballot Measure 49 affects enforcement of certain provisions of the Oregon Forest Practices Act 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.? ### From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Wed Feb 25 16:02:50 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:02:50 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Message from State Forester Marvin Brown Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6480B6CFF@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ________________________________________ From: BROWN Marvin D Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:06 PM Hi everyone. You?ve probably seen the most recent revenue forecast by now and, no doubt, there?s been much discussion about how the Department of Forestry will respond. Before I provide the latest information on what we are doing, I?d like to offer that, despite all of this, the best thing we can all do right now is stay focused on our responsibilities. We have much to get done on a daily basis and, ultimately, achieving those things is what will bring us the greatest satisfaction. I know it?s difficult not to worry and speculate. But, I?ve been in that situation before and I know that staying constructive, positive and productive is the best way to maintain a healthy frame of mind. Temporary Coordinator to Align Grant Development and Reduction Planning As we try to make the best managerial decisions during these current times, we find ourselves in a fairly unique situation. On the one hand, we have to plan for significant budget reductions. As we describe below, our revenue outlook is serious and at this point there are no choices other than cutbacks to deal with the problem. At the same time, we face a unique opportunity to add substantial dollars for special projects under the federal stimulus payments. Both of these endeavors are complicated and filled with uncertainty, and there needs to be coordination between the two so that we can create the best possible outcomes for the agency and our employees. For these reasons I?ve asked Tom Savage to take on a special full-time assignment for the next six months working under my direction at the executive level to provide this overall coordination. Having this central focal point will allow the Division Chiefs and Area Directors to spend more time concentrating on their areas without having to spend so much time assuring good cross-communications. Tom will be centralizing all of the grant activity under one group of folks so that we are identifying every opportunity. He will be staying in close contact with grant sources so that we put forward the most competitive proposals. We will be asking him to also make sure that we have adequate accountability and reporting in place. And he will be ensuring that we are structured appropriately in the field to carry out the work and to take full advantage of potential partnerships with other agencies and entities. At the same time, he will be working very closely with the budget reduction planning group. I will be looking to him to bring forward very strategic recommendations as to how we can direct the granting function to serve our greatest needs. And I will also be looking to him to advise us on how reduction planning might be better implemented to align with granting opportunities. Obviously this work can bring tremendous value to the agency at a critical juncture and I really appreciate Tom?s willingness to take this on. Forecast shows dimmer outlook for 2007-09, even more serious problems beyond For the 2007-09 budget period, ending June 30, the forecast indicated a gap of $855 million ? at the larger end of the range provided in last December?s forecast ? in General Fund revenue (primarily income tax dollars) across state government. This amounts to about 6.2 percent of the state?s total, two-year General Fund budget of $13.8 billion, but is closer to 25 percent of the dollars actually remaining to be spent between now and June 30. The outlook for the 2009-2011 period, beginning July 1, has grown much more serious. Predicted revenues for that period dropped an additional $1.7 billion from the December forecast. The new forecast indicates that the state will be $2.9 billion, about 17 percent, short of revenue necessary to continue current services into 2009-2011. Clearly, the Legislature faces difficult choices about allocating limited dollars across a broad range of public needs. What it means for ODF: the 2007-09 budget Given the short time remaining to balance the current biennium?s budget, this is the immediate focus for the Governor and Legislature. Friday?s forecast provided information that legislators can use to produce a reduction plan, and we may see this agreement within a week or two. The Legislature?s budget leaders have already released a proposed plan which, for ODF, uses the plan we originally proposed which includes savings we have accumulated, as well as specific reductions in the Fire and Private Forests programs, as we have discussed in past messages. Those measures in the proposed plan for now do not include layoffs. However, we can?t say with certainty yet that the Legislature?s final plan for balancing the 2007-2009 budget will not require layoffs at ODF. But the full plan should emerge very soon, with hearings and a possible Ways and Means Committee vote this week, and we?ll continue to keep everyone updated. The 2009-2011 outlook: likely reductions across ODF The need to reduce resources will affect all parts of our agency ? our operating programs as well as the administrative services that support them. We won?t know exactly what our 2009-2011 budget will look like until the Legislature completes its work about mid-year. But it appears that cuts in the neighborhood of the 20 percent reduction plans we have discussed previously for Private Forests and Fire may be necessary (details on the Web at http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/docs/2009_11_Red_Summary.pdf ) Those plans, which also consider the effect of lost matching funds, mean reductions of about 35 percent of the Private Forests budget and 10 percent of the Fire budget. It does appear, however, that we?ll have latitude to change the specifics of those plans as we work toward reduction targets with the legislature. This will give us some additional flexibility compared to where we starting with the planning for 2009-11 back in September of last year. At the same time, the State Forests Division is planning substantial reductions in response to falling timber sale revenues (details below). And as we?ve shared before, reductions in our three operating programs will in turn lead to corresponding and relational cuts in our administrative support programs. Reduction planning continues in State Forests Division Apart from the General Fund issues, we?re also seeing sharp drops, due to lack of demand for wood products, in the timber sale revenues that fund State Forests. These declines in revenues are important for both the near term starting now and over the next twelve months, and the longer term as we have to consider the length of timber sale contracts sold at lower stumpage prices. Also, because State Forest revenue is such a large component of the Department?s overall cash flow, we must consider the impacts of timber sale revenue declines on the ability of the agency to maintain a positive cash balance from month-to-month. State Forests Division leaders and Area Directors met recently with budget units to begin an ongoing reduction planning effort for the 2010 fiscal year. The first step was to develop what we are calling a base-level budget, based on the implementation plan priorities spelled out in the approved forest management plans. The division is working now to consolidate the information for a statewide review, which will occur on Thursday, February 26. During that review, division leaders and Area Directors will work on key questions, including: -- What further cost-savings can the division make in 2009 that will provide some additional relief now and in planning for fiscal year 2010 and beyond? -- What level of expenditures can the division sustain for 2010, given the revenue we forecast will be available? -- What time frames would be necessary to get us to those expenditure levels? After Thursday?s review, there will be more specific communication with all State Forests employees about the range of reductions that we must consider for this fiscal year and fiscal year 2010. Uncertainty and unknowns will remain, as is the case with the entire department?s budget situation. Given provisions of the Governor?s 2009-2011 Recommended Budget that transfer some timber sale revenues to other uses within the Department, the division will not be able to make final decisions until the Legislature approves an ODF budget in mid-2009. In the meantime, planning efforts will continue to identify reductions that are needed to keep costs in line with expected revenues under various scenarios. Our planning will ensure that, when a decision is needed for the fiscal 2010 budget, it will be based on the most up-to-date information available. The planning will help narrow the range of potential budget and staffing levels for 2010, and we?ll share the results of the various scenarios once they?re available. Bringing the pieces together through agency-wide planning Our budget outlook is complex, with many aspects and considerable uncertainty. We must deal in a coordinated fashion with many things ? including the immediate outlook for the remainder of this biennium; the 2009-2011 picture, which depends on legislative action that is not expected for several months, and the availability of federal stimulus dollars. Here are a few things that will be happening in the near future: -- To best manage diminishing resources, agency leaders will continue to monitor, on a weekly basis, vacancies, work needs, and specific positions in which funding is at risk. -- A newly formed team, now headed by Tom Savage, will continue its work on federal stimulus opportunities, ensuring that we put ourselves in the best possible position to receive and use funds that are available. Keep in mind that federal stimulus money in the forestry area is intended primarily for projects on the ground rather than to help with agency budgets, although we expect that it will sustain and guide the work of several employees. -- A message will be coming soon with guidance to all managers in reducing administrative costs across the agency. -- We?ll continue to update you as information becomes available. We hope you find this information helpful, and encourage you to ask your supervisor, or any of us, if you have questions. Again, thank you for all you do for Oregonians, particularly in difficult and uncertain times such as these. Marvin Brown State Forester