[ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets April 15 in Salem

[WEEKS Kevin]

Oregon Department of Forestry
NEWS RELEASE


Committee for Family Forestlands meets April 15 in Salem

April 8, 2010
Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427

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 Thursday April 15, 2010 at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room).

The agenda for the meeting includes reports from ODF staff regarding interagency cooperation on water quality policy development for private forestlands, policy work surrounding herbicide use on private lands, discussion about the ODF budget structure and discussion with the Oregon Small Woodland Owners Association about legislative concepts regarding private forestland being considered for the 2011 legislature.

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.

Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours (two working days) prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7502.

One-half of Oregon is forest, 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<http://www.oregon.gov/ODF>.

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Kevin Weeks
Public Information Officer
ODF Agency Affairs Office
(503) 945-7427