[ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Panel Formed to Review Greatest Permanent Value Meets

[WEEKS Kevin]

Private Forests News list members:

This news release concerns the forest management plan for the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, but given considerable public interest in the plan I am forwarding this message to the Private Forests list too.

Questions about the Private Forests News service??
Contact:

Kevin Weeks
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
(503) 945-7427

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Major Media Distribution
Nov. 19, 2009                                                             Jeff Foreman, (503) 945-7506

Forestry advisory panel meets Dec. 2 to begin review of
'greatest permanent value' benefits from state forests

An advisory committee to the Oregon Board of Forestry will meet Wednesday, Dec. 2, in Salem for an orientation as it begins a review of the administrative rules that define "greatest permanent value" and forest management planning.

The greatest permanent value rule is the standard that must be used - by law - to manage state forests for broad benefits. The Tillamook and Clatsop state forests in northwest Oregon are examples of state-managed forest lands.

The committee will meet from 1:15 to 5 p.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters (Tillamook Room) at 2600 State Street. The public is welcome to attend, but no formal comment period is planned.

The Board of Forestry asked to have the committee formed to gain a wide range of input. The committee will not make recommendations; instead, it will offer rule concepts and act as a sounding board for the Board of Forestry, which is reviewing the 10-year-old rules.

The 14-member committee is scheduled to meet four times - Dec. 2, Jan. 7, Feb. 17 and March 17. A summary report will be delivered to the Board of Forestry in April.

In addition to taking a look at the greatest permanent value rule, the committee will see if there are ways to improve the forest planning rule - how forest management plans are constructed and how they can be changed.

After receiving input from the advisory committee and other stakeholders, the board could choose to advance one or more of the developed concepts for further review through the administrative rule-making process.

The initial meeting Dec. 2 is designed to be an orientation for committee members. Board Chair John Blackwell will welcome the committee, which will receive some general background material on these state forest lands, along with the details on its upcoming work. The committee's actual work - providing input to the Board of Forestry - will begin on Jan. 7.

Committee members are Cass Moseley (chair), University of Oregon; Barrett Brown, Oregon Motorcycles Association; Duane Cole, Clatsop County manager; Jeff Hickman, Sierra Club - angling/hunting; Dave Ivanhoff, Hampton Affiliates; Ray Jones, Stimson Lumber Co.; Ed Kamholz, citizen representative; Paul Levesque, Tillamook County administrator; Meryl Redisch, Portland Audubon; George Smith, Coquille Indian Tribe; Bill Street, Woodworks District (union); Al Switzer, Klamath County commissioner; Bob Van Dyk, Wild Salmon Center; Joan Zuber, Mazamas (hiking); and ex-officio member Rod Krahmer, ODFW.

The term "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 does not specify how much of each benefit is appropriate. It is up to the Board of Forestry to make that determination.

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