From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Wed Mar 11 08:23:06 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:23:06 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Fire statistics 2008 Message-ID: <8624F561E5B896439490ED8208D03B0B05A133ED@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: I have attached a spreadsheet released Tuesday by ODF's Protection from Fire Division which summarizes data for the CY2008 fire season and its impact on ODF protected lands in comparison to past years. May be valuable data for those who represent landowners, or those who are landowners themselves. FYI Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Dec312008ODFstats.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 7486 bytes Desc: Dec312008ODFstats.pdf URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Fri Mar 13 09:14:30 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:14:30 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] NRCS economic recovery funding Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64AFFB42B@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News members: This information from the USDA NRCS may be of benefit to private landowners, especially those in western Oregon who may have suffered flood-related losses within the past year. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> News Release [cid:927291016 at 13032009-348E] [cid:927291016 at 13032009-3495] United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 900 Portland, OR 97204 www.or.nrcs.usda.gov For Immediate Release Oregon Contact: Dave Dishman, Oregon EWP Program Manager, (503) 414-3252, Dave.Dishman at or.usda.gov USDA WILL RESTORE AND PROTECT FLOOD-PRONE LANDS NATIONWIDE WITH ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUNDING Portland, March 11, 2009-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide up to $145 million to eligible landowners nationwide through the floodplain easement component of its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week. The funds will be used to restore an estimated 60,000 acres of frequently flooded land to its natural condition and create jobs. Vilsack announced that eligible landowners can sign up for these easements from March 9 until March 27, 2009 at their local USDA Service Center. Through the program, landowners have the option to voluntarily set aside and restore frequently flooded lands through permanent easements with the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). To be eligible for an easement, the land must be privately owned or owned by state or local units of government. In addition, eligible sites will have been damaged by flooding at least twice in the last 10 years or once in the last 12 months in order to qualify for the program. Interested landowners must submit an application to NRCS. Applications will be evaluated and ranked for funding on a state-by-state basis. Because applications could exceed available funding, they will be ranked for enrollment based on priorities established within each state. Larger cropland and pasture land tracts with a high frequency of flooding and evidence of flood damage will receive funding priority. In Oregon, additional emphasis for funding will be placed on applications that identify an entity to complete yearly upkeep and maintenance of the easement, as will applications to protect riparian, wetland and/or aquatic habitat within designated conservation opportunity areas (these areas can be found at: http://nrimp.dfw.state.or.us/coaexplorer/viewer.htm). Landowners who decide to enter into floodplain easements agree to limit future uses of the land and work with NRCS to restore and enhance floodplain functions and values. Restoration activities for this sign up do not include streambank stabilization. EWP floodplain easements are permanent and will remain forever tied to the deed, regardless of who owns the land in the future. With EWP floodplain easements, participating landowners retain ownership, control public access, and may continue to use the land for undeveloped recreational purposes, such as quiet enjoyment, hunting and fishing. Participating landowners may also request authorization to engage in other activities that further the protection and enhancement of the easement area. Funding for the floodplain easements comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The effort will create jobs in the engineering, biology and construction fields when landowners establish conservation practices on the land entered into easements. The goal is to have all floodplain easements acquired and restored within 12 to 18 months. No more than $30 million can be spent in any one state. The restored floodplains will generate many public benefits, such as increased flood protection, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and a reduced need for future public disaster assistance. Other benefits include reduced energy consumption when certain agricultural activities and practices are eliminated and increased carbon sequestration as permanent vegetative cover is re-established. Interested landowners should contact their local USDA Service Center for more information about EWP floodplain easements. For more information, about EWP, please visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp/Floodplain/index.html. ### NRCS-Helping people help the land. An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1458 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 2335 bytes Desc: image002.jpg URL: From Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us Fri Mar 13 13:16:51 2009 From: Kevin.Weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:16:51 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] additional NRCS funding for private forestlands Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64AFFB4B7@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News members: Here is information about the Cooperative Conservation Partnership offered through the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, including funding for non-industrial private forest projects funded by the 2008 Farm Bill. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Cooperative Conservation Partnership (CCPI) - Request for Proposals (RFP) Due 4/23/2009 On March 10, 2009 the CCPI program announcement was published in the Federal Register. The notice is to inform potential partners, producers and landowners of the availability of CCPI funds and solicit proposals from potential partners. The purposes of a CCPI partnership agreement are to: Address conservation priorities involving agriculture and nonindustrial private forest land on a local, State, multi-State, or regional level; Encourage producers to cooperate in meeting applicable Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements related to production; Encourage producers to cooperate in the installation and maintenance of conservation practices that affect multiple agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land; and Promote the development and demonstration of innovative conservation practices and delivery methods, including those for specialty crop and organic production and precision agriculture producers. CCPI provides targeted assistance to producers for enhancing conservation outcomes on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. All funding for projects will go directly to eligible producers in the selected area. Areas of CCPI assistance are selected competitively through applications of eligible partners. With CCPI, partners request assistance for a specific project area or resource concern. Potential partners may submit proposals that request assistance for a specified project area which may be defined by geo-political boundaries, watershed boundaries, or resource concern. For the partnership proposals that are selected, NRCS directs conservation program funding to eligible private landowners, private nonindustrial forest landowners, farmers, and ranchers who apply. Eligible partners include state, local, and Tribal governments, producer associations and cooperatives, institutions of higher education, and nongovernmental organizations. Additionally, NRCS requests public comment on how CCPI can contribute to the Nation's efforts on energy, climate change, and carbon sequestration within the framework of the Initiative. Instructions for submitting comments are outlined within the text of the Federal Register announcement. Oregon CCPI Proposal Fact Sheet: http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ccpi/ccpi_data/2009Oregon_CCPI_Proposal_Criteria.pdf -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Mar 17 14:57:28 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:57:28 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] URGENT: Grant option for private forestlands Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64AFFB908@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News members: This information is directed primarily for small woodland or non-industrial timber landowners. The Oregon Department of Forestry will be submitting a statewide funding package proposal to NOAA Fisheries to participate in a national stimulus funding opportunity of $170 million contained within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Many stream projects on private forestlands qualify for this funding package. ODF, in collaboration with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, intends to prepare a statewide grant proposal in response to this solicitation. ODF is requesting a list of any habitat restoration projects you may have which may be eligible for funding. Additional information - and project application forms - about this URGENT funding opportunity are available on the Oregon Department of Forestry's new Recovery Information page: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/recovery/index.shtml *** Project description forms must be electronically submitted to ODF by 12:00 Noon PDT Thursday March 19, 2009 -- For projects on privately-owned lands, please email completed forms to Jo Morgan, Oregon Department of Forestry -- jmorgan at odf.state.or.us - no later than 12:00 Noon PDT Thursday March 19, 2009 for consideration in ODF's statewide request. 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 Wed Mar 18 08:30:03 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:30:03 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Budget Planning Update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64AFFB9B0@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: The Executive Team for the Oregon Department of Forestry shared this budget planning message with ODF staff on Tuesday. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ Hi everyone...we wanted to take a moment to update you again on our budget situation, particularly as we begin a new set of reduction plans in response to direction we received from the Legislature's fiscal office last Friday. As we've discussed in previous messages, the Governor's Recommended Budget for the 2009-2011 budget period, beginning July 1, includes a 10 percent reduction in General Funds (primarily income tax dollars). In addition, to help legislators in their planning, the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) asked agencies in December to map out scenarios for a further 10 percent General Fund cut. As we have mentioned, these two actions, cutting General Fund by a total of 20 percent, would involve substantial reductions in the Private Forests and Fire programs during 2009-2011. On Friday, LFO directed agencies to plan a new set of reductions, this time totaling 30 percent of General Fund, for 2009-2011. The new direction in based on continued economic deterioration and on two recent developments that may have changed agencies' earlier reduction plans for 2009-2011 - the availability of federal stimulus dollars, and actions by the Legislature to balance the current, 2007-2009, budget. Responses to the new direction are due back to LFO by the end of next week. This effort will involve a new set of difficult choices about the services ODF would be able to provide with budget reductions of this size. But we'll continue to apply the principles we've used to this point, including identifying the services of highest priority for continuation, doing the best job we can with the resources available, and seeking to provide options wherever possible for employees whose current positions would no longer be funded. As we've done in the past few months, we'll continue to share information - with the department as a whole and with employees on an individual basis. We'll also continue to involve stakeholders and the Board of Forestry in these discussions and decisions. An update about State Forests Although the State Forests Division does not depend on General Funds, its revenue - from timber sales - is also declining sharply, due to lack of demand for wood products. The division has instituted substantial savings during the current fiscal year, ending this June 30. Even with that, the division will need to further reduce spending to 65 percent to 70 percent of recent levels for the coming biennium and beyond, at least until wood products demand recovers. The division has identified a base budget that meets our most fundamental responsibilities for implementing forest management plans and revenue generation. With those plans as a guide, decisions are now being made about resources that can be added to the base, consistent with available revenues. As is the case on the General Fund side in the Fire and Private Forest programs, this involves difficult choices. We will have more information soon about specific reduction plans for the division. Looking to the future Adjusting to the new budget realities will also require changes in administrative support services across the Department, and we are also developing those plans at this time. As we have discussed, uncertainty is our constant companion in all this. We won't know the specifics of our 2009-2011 budget until the Legislature ends its current session, at about mid-year. Periodic state government revenue forecasts - the next one is scheduled for mid-May - will continue to provide new information, and perhaps require further changes in plans. Such uncertainty can bring distraction and worry, and maintaining a healthy frame of mind can be a challenge. But as Marvin noted in his recent message, focusing on our daily work, and striving for a positive, constructive approach, can help. We hope that receiving information as the situation changes is also of use to you. As always, thank you for everything you do, and please don't hesitate to talk to your supervisor or any of us if you have questions. Clark Seely Paul Bell Associate State Forester Fire Protection Division Chief Nancy Hirsch Jim Paul State Forests Division Chief Private Forests Division Chief -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 19 08:08:49 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:08:49 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board to discuss temporary rule March 23 Message-ID: <8624F561E5B896439490ED8208D03B0B05A14A0F@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE For immediate release Major media distribution March 18, 2009 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, or 09-08 Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420 Forestry Board to discuss Temporary Rule March 23 The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet March 23 to consider adoption of a temporary rule that would make contracting for firefighting resources more efficient for the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). ODF annually contracts for privately owned firefighting resources such as air tankers, helicopters and crews. The meeting, which will be held by telephone conference call, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oregon?s administrative rules allow ODF?s Protection from Fire Program independent contracting authority for such services. To exercise this authority, the department must adopt its own rules regarding competitive contracting for firefighting resources. During the 10 a.m. conference call, the board members will review a proposed temporary rule that establishes the contracting rules. If the board adopts the temporary rule, it will go into effect for a period of 180 days retroactive from Feb. 1, 2009. In the interim, the board would develop a permanent administrative rule. Members of the public may observe the conference call meeting at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters office in the Clatsop Room, Administration Building (C), 2600 State St., in Salem. More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/. ### Questions about the Private Forests News service? Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 26 08:08:31 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:08:31 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon state forester seeks applicants for OFRI Board of Directors Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64AF17A39@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Forwarding on behalf of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oregon Forest Resources Institute News Release March 25, 2009 For Immediate Release Contact: Dan Postrel, ODF - 503-945-7420 Dave Kvamme, OFRI - 971-673-2948 Oregon state forester seeks applicants for OFRI Board of Directors SALEM, Ore. ? Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown has announced that he is soliciting applications from qualified individuals who may be interested in becoming members of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute Board of Directors. OFRI is a semi-independent state organization dedicated to forestry education. According to Oregon statute, the state forester appoints 11 of OFRI?s 13 board members. Two other members serve ex officio: the dean of the Oregon State University College of Forestry and a public representative who is appointed jointly by the president of the Oregon Senate and the speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. Board representation includes small, medium and large forest products producers that pay dedicated forest products harvest taxes to support OFRI?s programs, plus one member each representing small woodland owners and forest sector employees. Producer class specifications are as follows: ? Class 1 ? Producers of under 20 million board feet per year ? Class 2 ? Producers of at least 20 million board feet per year, but under 100 million board feet per year ? Class 3 ? Producers of at least 100 million board feet per year The small woodland owner representative must own between 100 and 2,000 acres of forestland and have no direct financial interest in any forest products processing activity. This spring, the state forester will appoint a Class 3 position to fill an unexpired term vacated by current member Matt Donegan of Forest Capital Partners. For terms that begin in 2010, Brown will consider appointments for up to four other seats from among all class producers and the small-woodlands category as existing terms expire and as other members consider whether to serve a second term. Persons interested in being considered for positions on the OFRI board now or at a future time should contact Dan Postrel at the Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or by e-mail at dpostrel at odf.state.or.us. Completed applications must be postmarked by April 17, 2009. ### From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Mar 30 12:04:31 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:04:31 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Department seeks buyer for former tree seedling nursery Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B64C631CB1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forestry Department seeks buyer for former tree seedling nursery March 30, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 or Robert McKee (503) 945-7503 [ODF] and Jody Tatone, RE/MAX Professional Realty (541) 430-5430 The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is seeking potential buyers for the state's former tree seedling nursery located near Elkton. The 113-acre former D.L. Phipps Forest Nursery property in Douglas County includes 87 acres of irrigated land and several buildings, including the nursery's 36,000-square-foot production/office/cold storage building. The property is listed at a selling price of $2 million. "This is a great opportunity for an agricultural or forestry business to expand," said Robert McKee, Facilities Manager for ODF. "There are many infrastructure aspects already in place, and the history of the Phipps facility demonstrates it is capable of generating several million seedlings per season." ODF has contracted with RE/MAX Professional Realty of Roseburg to market the property. Inquiries about the Phipps Nursery may be directed to broker Jody Tatone at (541) 430-5430. The property is irrigated from the adjacent Umpqua River with additional water irrigation rights from Galesburg Reservoir. The nursery was opened in 1957 to provide Oregon forest landowners with an on-demand source for tree seedlings. At its peak, the nursery produced 16 million tree seedlings per year. Over several decades, sales at the Phipps nursery diminished due to changing market conditions, reduced timber harvest on federal lands and increased seedling availability from private-sector nursery sources. The Oregon Board of Forestry in 2006 directed ODF to pursue sale of the nursery. The nursery closed at the conclusion of the two-year seedling growing season in April 2008. As required under state rules, ODF first sought to transfer the property under a public auction process in January 2008. Proposals received during that process did not meet minimum bid specifications. ODF also made efforts during the spring and summer of 2008 to negotiate a sale of the property. Once those options had been exhausted, ODF could then pursue selling the property through the commercial real estate market. Additional information about the property offering is available from RE/MAX Professional Realty including listing information available on the company's web site, www.professionalrealty.com - The Phipps property is listed under MLS number 9000926. Replanting trees is a crucial part of Oregon's forest strategy. The Oregon Forest Practices Act requires replanting trees following timber harvest. According to the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, almost 40 million tree seedlings are planted in Oregon each year. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division ODF Agency Affairs kweeks at odf.state.or.us (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: