From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Jun 3 15:19:47 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 15:19:47 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry board revises harvest and habitat goals for Tillamook, Clatsop state forests Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B652530556@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Major Media Distribution June 3, 2009 Jeff Foreman, (503) 945-7506 Forestry board revises harvest and habitat goals for Tillamook, Clatsop state forests The state Board of Forestry voted Wednesday to revise management on the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests, reducing the goal for developing older forests and allowing for greater economic returns through timber harvest. By a 4 to 2 vote, the board accepted the Oregon Department of Forestry's recommendation to reduce the long-term goal for older forest types from 40-60 percent of the landscape to 30-50 percent. The board, in an amendment, also directed ODF to prepare a review of the administrative rule for state forest management policy and planning. This rule includes definitions of greatest permanent value, known as the "purpose" of state forest lands, and forest management planning, the framework for developing a plan. The Board asked to have draft concepts prepared for a revision process by April 2010. All the board members expressed interest in revisiting the greatest permanent value rule. Most saw the revision proposed by ODF as an interim step in a more complete rewrite of a forest management plan. Board members voting no were Jennifer Phillippi and Peter Hayes. Phillippi said she preferred not having species of concern strategies and Hayes said he wanted a goal of 40 percent older forest - instead of 30 percent - until a peer review of the species of concern strategies was conducted. According to recent modeling estimates, a goal of 30 percent older forests would result in an annual timber harvest of 196 million board feet. This represents a 5 percent increase over the planned harvest level - 186 million board feet - for 2009. The board also approved implementing new strategies for species of concern to protect a list of 40 species identified by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The list includes threatened and endangered species. The species of concern strategies replace a draft habitat conservation plan that had been used to supply protective guidelines. The revision retains many aspects of the original plan, including a structure-based management approach that emulates diversity of stand types historically associated with conifer forests. A goal of 30 percent of the landscape in older forest types is consistent with the historic pattern, which suggests that the percentage of older stand types ranged over time from 30 percent to 70 percent. In the context of this plan, older forests have some larger trees mixed with smaller trees (two or more canopy layers) and an understory of shrubs and herbs. About 13 percent of the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests currently falls into this category. Most stands on the forests currently are single canopy stands about 50-60 years old, dating from extensive replanting following large fires and heavy harvesting that occurred in the early to mid-20th century, before the lands became public. Since the forest management plan is an administrative rule, the revisions will require formal rulemaking. This process provides for public review and participation in the adoption of the revised plan. The revision process could take up to a year. The first on-the-ground effects of the board's decision would likely come in the 2012 annual operations plans. The revised plan seeks to achieve 20 percent older forests across the landscape in 20 years, reaching 30 percent in 80 years. This is a change from the original plan, which had been implemented with a 50 percent long-term goal for older forests. The board pursued a higher return through timber harvests because it believed the management plan for these two state forests was underperforming economically. When the plan was approved in 2001, it was seen as an economic and environmental win-win. At the time, forest modeling showed that - even with the development of diverse habitat - the plan would produce nearly as much timber harvest volume as a more intensively managed industrial forest. But the timber harvests have been consistently lower than expected and significantly less when compared to industrial forest management. The revised plan, at 196 million board feet, represents about 70-75 percent of what the forests are capable of producing - an estimated 272 million board feet - under an industrial model. The board's decision is seen as a move to make management more consistent with the purpose of these state-owned forestlands - a new balance among economic, social and environmental benefits, with greater emphasis on the economic. The purpose - called greatest permanent value - is defined in state law and administrative rule. It seeks a full range of social, economic and environmental benefits. Examples of these benefits include timber harvest with resulting revenues for public services in local counties, healthy streams, wildlife habitat and recreation. The rule doesn't specify how much of each benefit is appropriate. That determination falls to the Board. The management task changes as forest modeling and inventory techniques improve, and as public needs and interests change. Economic outputs are important because revenue is distributed to the counties where harvesting occurs. Counties, schools and local taxing districts, like rural fire departments, depend on this revenue to provide public services. The counties receive this revenue because they deeded these lands to the state many decades ago. There was agreement at the time that when the overcut and burned lands grew into productive forests, the counties would receive a share of the revenue. # # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Jun 4 07:07:32 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 07:07:32 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board recognizes outstanding forest educators In-Reply-To: <8CD18C5BD70D6F4BB2B636295905299C75968F16@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> References: <8CD18C5BD70D6F4BB2B636295905299C75968F16@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B6525305BD@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Major Media Distribution June 3, 2009 Contact: Doug Decker, 503-701-0236 Susan Sahnow, 541-737-3005 Board of Forestry recognizes outstanding forest educators The Oregon Board of Forestry today recognized individual educators and a 30-plus year forest education program for excellence in forestry education. The Mary Rellergert Forestry Education Awards, which honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to public education and understanding of forestry in Oregon, was presented to Lori LaMarche, a science teacher at Stayton High School; Jon Mayer, former Forest Interpretation and Education Specialist on the Santiam State Forest (and current 4-H Youth Development Coordinator for Multnomah County); and Starker Forests and their Public Outreach Forester Dick Powell, Philomath. The award honors Oregon Department of Forestry's former Tillamook State Forest Education Coordinator, Mary Rellergert, who passed away in February 2004. Rellergert was a highly regarded forest education leader and founder of the Tillamook State Forest Education Program, which provides high quality forest learning experiences for K-12 students at the Tillamook Forest Center. Lori LaMarche, Stayton Lori has been a science teacher at Stayton High School for 17 years, during which time she has focused her students on learning about and connecting with forest resources, ecology, biology and wildfire. Recently, Lori led development of a partnership program to create a 36-week high school course-called Introduction to Forest Resources-that integrates classroom instruction, guest speakers and field labs. She's also created an articulation agreement with Chemeketa Community College that allows students to earn five college credits for course completion. Lori has initiated and coordinated the science club and the Associated Oregon Forestry Club at Stayton High. Lori has been actively involved as a facilitator with the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program since 1999. In this role she helps teachers grasp the possibilities of integrating natural resources into their area of study. Jon Mayer, Salem Jon was instrumental in the development and implementation of forest education and interpretation programs in the Santiam State Forest east of Salem. Working out of the Santiam Unit Office at Lyons starting in 2001, Jon singlehandedly created curricula and partnerships that resulted in highly sought after on-site and in-classroom natural resource education programs that have reached thousands of students. He extended this learning with a popular weekend 4-H Natural Resources Club for interested students to further explore forestry topics. Jon was also a prime mover in the creation of recreation and interpretation facilities on the Santiam State Forest in the Shellburg Falls area. He currently serves as Multnomah County's 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, which is part of the OSU Extension Program. Starker Forests, Philomath & Dick Powell, Public Outreach Forester Starker Forests, located near Philomath, have provided a rich variety of forest learning experiences and opportunities for decades, welcoming young and old alike to participate in programs or just stroll interpretive trails on the privately-owned forest land west of Corvallis. Over the years, Starker Forests has led or partnered in the development of numerous outstanding forestry education efforts including Corvallis Outdoor School, the Corvallis/Philomath Natural Resource Day, the annual Starker Tree Planting event, assistance with the Alsea Forestry Camp, dozens of scouting and school related projects and many other events and activities. Starker Forests also offers weekly public education tours which culminate with a walk on the Starker Memorial Trail, an excellent guided interpretive walk through young and older forests. Leading development of these many activities and opportunities has been Dick Powell, a 36-year forester for Starker who has become an institution among the Corvallis-Philomath natural resource education community. Dick's creativity and leadership, and his dedication, has helped thousands of school children, families, youth groups, tourists, neighbors, teachers, scout leaders and others make a special connection with Oregon forests. The 2009 Rellergert Forestry Education Award winners were selected from a list of nominees by a panel of forestry educators from the Oregon Natural Resources Education Program at the Oregon State University College of Forestry, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and past recipients of the award. NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos of the recipients receiving their awards-and of them in action conducting forest education programs-are available. Contact Doug Decker, 503-701-0236, ddecker at odf.state.or.us --30-- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Jun 5 12:44:24 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 12:44:24 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Budget and Organizational Update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B652530810@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: The Oregon Department of Forestry's Executive Team sent this update message to staff on Friday regarding budget realignments, layoffs, economic stimulus and realignment of ODF's organizational structure in the near future. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 9:05 AM Subject: Budget and Organizational Update Hi everyone...we've started a new phase in our response to the recession - one in which the impacts on our people and our programs are becoming all too real - and we wanted to provide an update for you today on a few important points. Through the very difficult layoff and bumping processes, some colleagues will move to different jobs, and others, unfortunately, will leave the department. Change and uncertainty will continue for some time, as employees exercise their bumping rights, and as the Legislature works toward decisions in the next few weeks that will shape our 2009-2011 budget. Ultimately, as we adjust to new staffing levels and a new emphasis on work funded by stimulus dollars, we'll also see changes to our organizational structure. As we've mentioned in past messages, we felt that we needed to go ahead with the layoffs in State Forests now, in response to the sharp drop in stumpage prices, a result of the decline in the housing market. Still ahead, however, are the Legislature's budget decisions for ODF and other state agencies. Those decisions will determine what further reductions will be necessary for us. Based on the budget framework released last week by the co-chairs of the Legislature's Ways and Means Committee, it appears the General Fund reduction for the agency overall could be as much as 15 percent, all taken in the Private Forests Program. However, we don't yet know those details. Opportunities through economic stimulus. It appears that stimulus dollars will provide some replacement employment opportunities. Toward that end, our recruitment for NRS 1's and NRS 2's, who would oversee projects funded with stimulus payments, remains open. We don't have details at this point about these positions, such as how many may be available or where they may be located. In the coming weeks we expect to learn more about how much stimulus money we can expect and about how the money is to be spent. Through our recruitment, we hope to create a pool of applicants that we can draw on as we are able to put employment opportunities together. We encourage employees affected by layoffs or bumping to consider this option. More information is available from Human Resources. Charting a new future. The reductions we're now facing, and a growing emphasis on fuels reduction and other types of projects funded with stimulus dollars, will change our organizational structure and alter our responsibilities, with some positions potentially focused specifically on grant projects. Accordingly, at the executive level, we're starting to develop a reallocation plan - an effort to make the best use of the resources available to us. Separate from the layoff process, this is a look ahead, to an organizational structure that's best suited to the work that we will be doing. This process has just begun, and we'll keep you updated as we move forward. In closing. Even though much is changing and we must adjust to a period of reduced resources, your work continues to make a difference. Fire season is a time when many Oregonians have a chance to see that first-hand. But it's true every day of the year. We will do all we can to provide opportunities for you to continue that great service. As always, please don't hesitate to ask your supervisor, or any of us, if you have questions. Thanks again for your excellent work. Clark Seely Paul Bell Associate State Forester Chief, Fire Protection Division Nancy Hirsch Jim Paul Chief, State Forests Division Chief, Private Forests Division -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Jun 10 07:15:26 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:15:26 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Ray Jones joins OFRI board Message-ID: <8624F561E5B896439490ED8208D03B0B05A14AB9@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: Forwarding this news release on behalf of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 kweeks at odf.state.or.us >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oregon Forest Resources Institute News Release June 9, 2009 Contact: Dave Kvamme, OFRI ? 971-673-2948 Ray Jones joins OFRI board The Oregon state forester has appointed W. Ray Jones to the board of directors of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. State Forester Marvin Brown appointed Jones to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Matthew Donegan. His term expires in 2011. 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. Jones is vice president of resources for Stimson Lumber Co. in Portland. His career spans more than 30 years in the forest products industry, from field operations to executive management positions. Jones brings to the OFRI board a passion for educating the public about the forest sector. In particular, he has been involved in numerous industry associations working to foster understanding of public land management issues in the Pacific Northwest. He has been active on the boards and committees of the American Forest Resource Council, Oregon Forest Industry Council, Intermountain Forestry Association, Western Climate Initiative and Douglas Timber Operators. Born in Corvallis and raised in Sweet Home, Jones lives in Scappoose. Jones? board position represents Class 3 producers, those companies paying harvest taxes on 100 million board feet per year or more. Oregon law stipulates that nine board members represent all of three producer classes, categorized by timber harvest volume into small, medium and large producers. Class 3 represents the largest producers. The state forester appoints these nine, as well as one member representing small woodland owners and one representative of forest industry employees. Also, 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. OFRI is funded by a dedicated harvest tax on forest products producers and does not receive monies from the state?s general fund. ### From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Jun 10 09:49:56 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:49:56 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands to meet June 17 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65253702D@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands to meet June 17 June 10, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 17, 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, impacts of proposed 2009-2011 budget reductions for the Oregon Department of Forestry, and discuss establishing a forward agenda for planning the committee?s work during 2009. 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 ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 kweeks at odf.state.or.us From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Jun 11 08:55:55 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:55:55 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] House Agriculture survey on climate change published Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B652530DE1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: Policy information on climate change that may be of interest to private forest landowners -- On Thursday June 4th, Rep. Collin Peterson (Minn.), chair of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, announced the publication of the Committee's climate change survey. The Committee received more than 200 responses to the questionnaire, which was sent to conservation, forestry, research, energy, business, and nonprofit groups and was also made available to the general public. In March 2009, the Agriculture Committee created the climate change questionnaire and distributed it to over 400 organizations to gather input on proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For years, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have been participating in programs that result in carbon reduction, and the goal of the questionnaire was to identify ways that these practices could be recognized and incorporated into climate change legislation. The survey results are available on the House Agriculture Committee website's Publications page: http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/publications.html. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 kweeks at odf.state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Jun 29 07:45:09 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:45:09 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Agency Budget Update and Planning Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B653DB4E3B@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News service list members: The Oregon Department of Forestry Executive Team sent this update message on Thursday to ODF staff about the 2009-2011 Budget and work force reductions. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 kweeks at odf.state.or.us ________________________________ From: SEELY Clark W Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:27 AM To: ALL FORESTRY Subject: Agency Budget Update and Planning for the Future Hi everyone...the Department's 2009-2011 budget was approved Monday by the Legislature's Ways and Means Committee. It is ready now for votes in the full House and Senate, where we expect that it will also meet with approval. As this process nears completion, we have more certainty than we have had for many months, although some question marks remain about the longer-term budget outlook for all of state government. During the process, some resources have been added back to our budget. The reduction in General Fund for the agency is about 12.5 percent, somewhat better than the 15 percent scenario we have been discussing. We'll use the additional resources, as well as expected federal stimulus money, wherever possible to provide opportunities for employees who would otherwise be laid off. However, further layoffs and displacements through bumping will be necessary, and we wanted to update you on the timing of those processes. A new time frame for work force reductions Several things are happening at once with regard to layoffs. First, as you know, because of revenue decreases in State Forests - the result of falling timber prices - we felt we needed to go ahead with layoffs there. Those layoff notices have been issued, and will become effective on Wednesday, July 1, as will the related changes resulting from the bumping process. Still ahead are the reductions needed in Private Forests - again with the added effects of bumping. The Executive Team has tentatively decided not to initiate the layoff process until mid-July, with an effective date in mid-September at the earliest. This will mean that affected employees and their families won't be facing displacements during the heart of the fire season. We expect to decide soon on a specific date for issuing layoff notices, and we'll keep you updated on that decision. We're continuing with our approach of issuing layoff notices to employees with less seniority wherever that's possible, in order to minimize the subsequent bumping activity. It's important to remember, too, that depending on how the affected employees choose to exercise their seniority rights, notices issued to Private Forests employees in the operating areas or in Salem may ultimately result in displacements elsewhere within those areas. Assuming that our new budget becomes effective on July 1, the beginning of the 2009-2011 biennium, implementing the Private Forest reductions a few months later will bring some costs. However, we believe the rest of the two-year budget period will provide time to mitigate these, with vacancy savings and other measures. The 2009-2011 budget: a closer look Landowners have committed to keeping the Forest Products Harvest Tax rate for administration of the Forest Practices Act unchanged for the 2009-2011 biennium. (Because this tax rate is based on a match with General Funds, the rate ordinarily would drop as General Funds are reduced). Although we are still analyzing the details, we believe this will allow us to retain about 10 positions that otherwise would have been lost at the 15% General Fund reduction level. Beyond this, effects of the budget are along the lines that we have discussed before - layoff of about 27 of our 57 stewardship foresters, elimination in Salem of much field and technical support for forest practices, and discontinuation of direct support for the Oregon Plan, eastern Oregon effectiveness monitoring, and much of our insect and disease work. Information about the specific stewardship forester and Salem positions affected by layoff will be provided to supervisors this week. In total, the effect of these reductions will roll back our capacity to administer the Forest Practices Act to roughly mid-1980s levels, which will undoubtedly require some significant changes in both the structure and administration of the Private Forests program. As mentioned earlier in this note, we're still considering the timeframe for implementing this layoff. Other features of the budget include restoration of the 50-50 split between the state and landowners for basic fire protection (earlier versions had proposed a smaller state share), and a cap of $10 million, rather than the $15 million of the past several years, in landowner costs for large fires, with the General Fund picking up the additional exposure. Reaching resolution on the fire-finance aspects of the budget involved considerable negotiation among landowner groups and key legislators. Although there were differing opinions on how the costs should be shared, none of the parties questioned the efficiency, effectiveness, cost or need for these services. This is an excellent reflection on our agency and the value we provide. Planning for stimulus dollars Just as we face these serious reductions in our work force and our services, we will likely be receiving substantial federal stimulus payments to pay for specific new activities, largely involving fuels reduction. As we've mentioned, this will substantially reshape our work for the next couple of years, while providing opportunities for some employees who have been laid off. The funds are intended to provide jobs in the private sector. However, a portion will be available for agency administration of the various projects around the state. The division chiefs and area directors are working on a process for identifying and filling a limited number of positions needed for this administration. At the same time, we are looking long-term at a more efficient way to solicit and use grant dollars that we receive through normal federal channels. Clark Seely will be sending a message soon with more detail about our approach to managing grants and stimulus dollars. Closing notes Although we now have more detail about our 2009-2011 budget, uncertainty remains. As you may have heard in news reports, interest groups may work to refer tax increases, approved by the Legislature as part of its budget-balancing plan, to the voters. If that occurs, the voters' decision will determine whether additional budget reductions may be necessary - issues the Legislature could address in a session perhaps early next year. Unknowns also remain about the future direction of our economy, which directly affects tax revenue available to state government. We have been discussing uncertainty in our budget picture since last fall, and we must keep in mind that more change is possible. We appreciate your continued focus on our work during these times, and, as always, invite you to contact any of us, or your supervisor, if you have questions. And again, thank you for all the work that you do. Clark Seely Paul Bell, Chief Associate State Forester Protection Division Jim Paul, Chief Doug Decker, Acting Chief Private Forests Division State Forests Division -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Jun 29 14:59:50 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:59:50 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Budget and HB2214 approved Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B653DB4FB6@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News list members: This news update from Associate State Forester Clark Seely came out Monday afternoon. The Oregon Legislature on Monday approved the 2009-2011 Budget for ODF, voting on a funding package which represents about a 12.5 percent general fund reduction for ODF. HB2214, which sets the Harvest Tax rate for the coming biennium was also approved. Additional details regarding specific budget reductions will be released soon. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 kweeks at odf.state.or.us ________________________________ From: SEELY Clark W Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 2:35 PM To: ALL FORESTRY Subject: FYI - ODF Legislative Status 6-29-09 pm - Budget and Harvest Tax Complete Importance: High Hi everyone...a quick update of today's activity...the Senate passed the Harvest Tax bill (HB2214 - carried by Sen. Walker) earlier this afternoon by a 30-0 vote, as it had come out of Ways and Means, with no questions or comments, and moments ago, the House passed our budget bill (SB5522 - carried by Rep. Jenson) as it came out of Ways and Means, by a 57-2 vote, with no questions or comments. So, the legislative work on the budget and harvest tax is now complete and on to the Governor for signature. My sincere thanks to everyone in the agency involved in our budget process for all your individual and collective efforts...I very much appreciate the individual time and effort that many folks provided, and it's a team effort that makes it all happen. Again, we'll have further budget summary information out to you soon. Clark _____________________________ Clark W. Seely, CF Associate State Forester Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State Street Salem, OR 97310-0340 Phone: 503-945-7203 Cell: 503-559-5807 FAX: 503-945-7212 email: cseely at odf.state.or.us WEB: www.odf.state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Jun 30 08:29:14 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:29:14 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Conservation Forestry Award nominations Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B653E52465@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News service list members-- Forwarding this information at the request of the American Forest Foundation. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The American Forest Foundation is seeking requests for nominations for the national 2009 Conservation Forestry Awards. The AFF Center for Conservation Solutions seeks nominations of a family forest owner whose early adoption of innovative conservation forestry practices has proven both ecologically and socially beneficial. The family forest owner should demonstrate deliberate and on going efforts to conserve their forestland in alignment with a written management plan, and also perform landowner and community outreach to promote forest ecosystem stewardship. The family forest owner should possess a holistic view of the forest ecosystem that guides progress toward healthy forest conditions. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Nominations should consist of: 1) Cover letter 2) Nomination form (see questions below ? limit two pages plus four photos or video) 3) Two letters of additional support Questions for Nominator: * How long has the landowner owned/engaged with the property? * How has this land owner embodied an exemplary conservation ethic for land stewardship? * Describe specific innovative goals, objectives and activities that the landowner has undertaken. What has the forest owner done to increase understanding of the current and potential health of their forest ecosystem? * Describe and identify the specific healthy forest ecosystem condition that the landowner is working to achieve. * What specific outreach activities has the landowner undertaken to promote forest ecosystem stewardship? * What resources have helped the landowner (agencies, non-profits, universities, etc.) to develop his or her stewardship plan? Submissions Due: An electronic copy of all proposal materials must be received by mmunford at forestfoundation.org prior to 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, September 1. Photographs and materials submitted become the property of AFF and may be used in publicizing the award. AFF will acknowledge receipt of all nominations through an email to the nominator. The award includes a $2,000 cash prize for the winner and a trip for both nominator and winner to Washington, DC for the award ceremony on October 15, 2009. Please join us in this opportunity to recognize conservation leadership by a family forest owner. On the Web: http://www.forestfoundation.org/ccs_award.html