From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Oct 6 15:19:13 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 15:19:13 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Group assessing Oregon's forests to meet October 21 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65A0D1980@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Group assessing Oregon's forests to meet October 21 October 6, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will update advisory committee members on a project to assess Oregon's current forest resources on October 21. The 2010 State of Oregon Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy is designed to identify Oregon's current forest resources, develop a strategy for managing forests that are identified as priority areas in the state, and report on the effectiveness of how federal funding was used to address those priorities. The discussion regarding the Forest Assessment Resource Strategy project will occur during the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meeting on Wednesday October 21, 2009 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room). The public is invited to attend the advisory committee meeting. Committee members will review a draft list of priority issues for the Statewide Forest Assessment process and review available data (or identify data gaps) that address priority issues. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7368. The 2008 Farm Bill passed by Congress contained an amendment to the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act requiring states that receive Farm Bill funding perform the forest assessment study by mid-2010, with updates at five-year increments after that. The Farm Bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which in turn provides funding for many ODF services through the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry Program. One-half of Oregon's 61 million acres are forested, with 60 percent of Oregon's forests under federal ownership, 35 percent privately-owned while state, tribal or local government ownership accounts for the remaining five percent. Oregon's forests are among one of the state's most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic and social benefits. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry / Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Oct 8 07:25:52 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 07:25:52 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forest Legacy Program review set for October 21 Message-ID: <8624F561E5B896439490ED8208D03B0B05A14BDD@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forest Legacy Program review set for October 21 October 8, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will update advisory committee members about the Forest Legacy Program and review Oregon?s current applicants for the program on October 21. The Forest Legacy Program, administered in Oregon by ODF, is a national cooperative forestry program of the U.S. Forest Service that seeks to conserve private forest lands in areas where forests may be lost to non-forest uses, to help protect forest resources, and enhance community forest conservation partnerships. The program review and discussion of applications will occur during the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meeting on Wednesday October 21, 2009 from 10:00am to Noon at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room). The public is invited to attend the advisory committee meeting. Committee members will be updated on the Assessment of Need Update process and review the project applications received for consideration for funding in federal fiscal year 2011. The Forest Legacy Program is designed to support state and community efforts to keep forestland viable, and keeping working forests as forests. The voluntary program provides financial incentives -- using conservation easements or land acquisition -- for private landowners to protect environmentally important working forest areas (those that provide forest products, water, fish and wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities) that are threatened by development, fragmentation and other non-forest uses. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7368. A conservation easement is a legal restriction placed on a piece of property to protect a specific resource, or several resources. Conservation easements protect land for enjoyment by future generations while allowing owners to retain many private property rights and to live on and use their land, at the same time potentially providing the landowner with incentive or tax benefits. One-half of Oregon?s 61 million acres are forested, with 60 percent of Oregon?s forests under federal ownership, 35 percent privately-owned while state, tribal or local government ownership accounts for the remaining five percent. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF?s web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Oct 14 07:30:26 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:30:26 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Family forestlands advisory group meets October 23 Message-ID: <8624F561E5B896439490ED8208D03B0B05A14BED@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Family forestlands advisory group meets October 23 October 13, 2009 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Family forestland owners make a significant contribution to Oregon: ? Small-acreage private woodland owners and forest-owning families manage 4.7 million acres of Oregon?s forests, about 15 percent of the state?s forest footprint. ? 153,000 small forests cover the state ranging from one acre to 500 acres, including 57,000 family-owned forests between ten and 49 acres in size. ? 11 percent of Oregon?s wood products are generated by small-woodland or family forests. More than half of Oregon?s family forest owners are over 65, with many in their 70?s and 80?s. Many thousands of acres of Oregon?s forest land are poised to change ownership within the next decade, with economic pressures driving both new and long-time forest owners to consider converting their forest to other uses, including residential development or commercial land. Family forest owners have a voice in Oregon?s forest policy development through the 10-member Committee for Family Forestlands, which serves an advisory role to the Oregon Board of Forestry regarding issues of concern to Oregon?s family-owned forests. The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Friday October 23, 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. The agenda for the meeting is currently under development; however committee members will hear reports from ODF staff regarding the impacts to family forest owners of budget reductions in the 2009-2011 budget 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. 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 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 Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Oct 19 08:27:20 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:27:20 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Advisory Group Meets Oct. 23 in Forest Grove Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65A213CA3@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: This news release involves public outreach efforts by the State Forests Division of ODF regarding the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. This information is provided to assist with inviting public participation in the Plan update process. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Oct. 16, 2009 WHAT - Discussion on the Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) process for revising the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan (FMP) and the process for revising the "greatest permanent value" (GPV) administrative rule. The Oregon Board of Forestry has directed ODF to carry out these revision processes. The GPV rule is the standard used - by law - to manage state forests for broad benefits. Also, discussion on ways to improve implementing the FMP in times of reduced budgets. WHO - State Forests Advisory Committee, made up citizens, interest group representatives (timber, environmental and recreational groups). Committee membership is listed at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/docs/SFAC_Roster.pdf WHEN - 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 WHERE - Forest Grove Community Auditorium, 1915 Main St., Forest Grove. SFAC meetings are open to the public, and an opportunity for public comment is provided at 9:10 a.m. and 3 p.m. WHY - A forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and offer advice and guidance to ODF on implementation of the forest management plan approved for northwest state forests in 2001. The plan calls for ODF to actively manage the state forestlands for economic, environmental and social benefits. An approach is used to generate revenue for trust land counties that deeded lands to the state, while maintaining environmental and social values for the citizens of Oregon. MORE INFO - Contact: Jeff Foreman, Oregon Department of Forestry, 503-945-7506 ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 23 11:51:29 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:51:29 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Administration Division Chief named Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65A1BF757@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: This week, State Forester Marvin Brown announced the hiring of a Chief for ODF's Administration Division. Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 ________________________________ From: BROWN Marvin D Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:20 PM Subject: Administration Division Chief I'm happy to announce that Satish Upadhay has accepted the positon of Administration Division Chief, filling behind Clark Seely who officially retired last June, but has been staying on until we could find his replacement. Satish has been a budget analyst in the Department of Administrative Services, handling the Department of Forestry plus a number of other agencies. He comes knowing our Department and the budget process quite well, and brings excellent administrative, managerial and inter-personal skills to our executive team. He'll be officially starting on November 16, and I hope you all have an oppoprtunity at some point to welcome him to ODF. Marvin Brown From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 23 13:18:10 2009 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:18:10 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board to tour forests 11-5, meet in Tillamook 11-6 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B65A27DDC8@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forestry Board to tour forests Nov. 5, meet in Tillamook Nov. 6 For immediate release Major media distribution October 23, 2009 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425 BOARD OF FORESTRY MEETING - NOV. 6 Revision of a rule that guides management of Oregon's state forests, and updates to the forestland classification system for wildfire protection will be on the Board of Forestry's agenda when it meets Nov. 6 in Tillamook. On Nov. 5, the board will tour forests in the Garibaldi area owned by Ecotrust, a Portland-based conservation organization. State Forests policy At its June 2009 meeting, the board directed the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to begin a review of Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) that pertain to the definition of "Greatest Permanent Value" and for developing state forest management plans. Known as the "purpose" of state forestlands, Greatest Permanent Value is a policy goal to provide healthy, productive and sustainable forest ecosystems that produce a full range of benefits. ODF has recommended that the review include consultation with the statutorily mandated Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee, and that the opinions and ideas of the general public be sought through a public advisory committee. Land classification for wildfire protection ODF will seek the board's approval to begin administrative rulemaking that would update the existing land classification system and bring it into alignment with statutory changes made in the 2009 legislative session. In 2007, a steering committee representing a broad array of interests conducted a wide-ranging review of the system, making recommendations both in statute and in administrative rules to update the forestland classification. The final report from the committee included recommendations to modify the pertinent administrative rules to: * better reflect current conditions on the ground * improve efficiency of the system * make administration of the system more consistent Forestry Program for Oregon ODF staff will present draft objectives for the 2011 edition of the board's strategic plan, the Forestry Program for Oregon. The plan sets forth the board's mission and vision for Oregon's forests, and the values that will guide its decisions over the next eight years. The objectives are organized around the Board's seven goals for the sustainable management of Oregon's public and private forests. These goals address protecting soil and water quality, maintaining productive forest capacity, conserving native plant and animal populations, ensuring diverse social and economic benefits, maintaining and restoring forest health, enhancing carbon storage, and building institutional capacity. Board priorities in 2010-2011 The board will consider for adoption a set of priority issues to address in 2010 and 2011. These concern private and state-owned forestlands, wildland fire risk management, policies on dynamic forest ecosystems and forest vitality, and other issues. 2011-2013 Department of Forestry budget The board will consider draft principles and guidance for developing the 2011-2013 ODF budget. Maintaining ODF's core business functions and customer service amid funding cutbacks ranks as a high priority. Legislative concepts Staff will present draft guidance for the development of legislative concepts for the 2011 Oregon legislative session. Due to Gov. Kulongoski's office by April 2010, these concepts could eventually become bills to be considered by the Legislature. The meeting is open to the public, and comments will be received on forestry-related items not included in the agenda during a public comment period shortly after 8 a.m. Members of the public wishing to comment on specific agenda items will have an opportunity to address the board during the time each item is scheduled. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance can be arranged by calling the ODF Agency Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting - 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213. More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/. Background information on agenda items for the Nov. 6 meeting is available through the 2009 Meeting Schedule link. BOARD OF FORESTRY TOUR - NOV. 5 The Board of Forestry will tour Ecotrust forestlands in the Garibaldi area from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. The tour will provide on-the-ground perspective of the conservation group's forest management strategies. Ecotrust is working to develop landscape-scale examples of conservation-based forest management that protects core ecological and social values while still producing timber. The tour will begin with a briefing at the Old Mill Event Center, 210 S. Third St., in Garibaldi. Members of the public wishing to join the board are asked to bring their lunch and provide their own transportation. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: