From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Aug 11 10:38:27 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:38:27 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] USDA Report Showing Threats to Private Forested Lands Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B666F5EFC5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE News Release Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623 Vilsack Highlights Report Showing Threats to Private Forested Lands Forest Service study supports "All Lands" approach outlined by Vilsack last year WASHINGTON, August 11, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today held a national conference call to highlight a USDA Forest Service report entitled "Private Forests, Public Benefits", showing that privately held forests in the U.S. are under substantial stress from development and fragmentation and that increased housing density in forests will exacerbate other threats to forests from wildfire, insects, pathogens and pollution. These threats to the important goods and services provided by privately owned forests, which make up 56 percent of all forested lands, emphasize the importance of the collaborative, cross-boundary approach to conserving and restoring our forests as laid out by Secretary Vilsack in a major address last year. "Americans rely on their forests for a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits, including clean water, wood products, habitat for wildlife, and outdoor recreation," said Vilsack. "The Private Forests, Public Benefits report shows that now, more than ever, we need to take an 'all lands' approach to managing our nation's forests, whether they are national forests or under the stewardship of state or private entities." "Private Forests, Public Benefits" is one of a series of reports prepared by the "Forests on the Edge" project. This report uses geographic information systems to identify watersheds where private forests contribute the greatest amount of goods and services in terms of clean water, timber, and wildlife habitat; and where these goods and services are most at risk from increased housing density as well as insect pests and disease, wildfire, and air pollution. Some of the report's key findings include: * Housing density will increase on more than 57 million acres of America's private forests between 2000 and 2030. * Up to 75 percent of the private forests in many regions are predicted to experience a substantial increase in housing density. * Private forests that play a critical role in supplying our nation with clean water resources, and the timber we need to build homes and communities across the country will be threatened. * A number of species including the already-endangered Florida panther and the grizzly bear are also expected to be put at risk because of loss of forested land. The study also identifies areas where other threats to forests - like fire, pollution and disease - will be made much worse as a result of forest loss. For instance, as houses encroach on forests, the risks to human life and property from fire increase as do the costs of fire management and suppression. The Forests on the Edge project seeks to increase public awareness of the importance of conserving America's private forests; create tools for strategic planning; and provide Congress and Forest Service partners with better information on the values of and challenges facing our nation's open space. To obtain maps or a copy of Private Forests, Public Benefits go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace/fote/index.html. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202-720-6382 (TDD). ### For the Private Forests News service: Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Aug 19 07:03:53 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:03:53 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Big Burn of 1910 changed Oregon forestry Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B666F5F99E@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - News Release Big Burn of 1910 changed course of Oregon forestry August 18, 2010 Contact: Kevin Weeks, (503) 945-7427 Observances this week in Idaho will mark the centennial of the 1910 Big Burn, a devastating fire that consumed 5,000 square miles of forest across Washington, Idaho and Montana. Though the Big Burn occurred a century ago, the impacts of the fires remain felt today in wild land fire management and forest policy. With the centennial of the Oregon Department of Forestry coming up in 2011, it's a fitting time to consider our progress in managing and protecting forests. Though not officially included in the complex of fires known as the Big Burn, Oregon lost 192 million board feet of timber during 1910 fires and six lives were lost battling forest fires that summer. No record exists of how many acres of eastern Oregon forests were destroyed. "Conservation of forests was a growing concern at the time," said Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown, "but the 1910 fires, especially the destruction and loss of life in Montana and Idaho, pushed public sentiment in Oregon forward to protect our forests. People grew tired of smoke-filled skies in the summer and landowners wanted certainty their forest resources would be kept safe from future fires." The 1911 Oregon legislature created the Office of the State Forester, and granted regulatory authority to a seven-person Board of Forestry with the charge of coordinating fire protection on private timberlands throughout the state. Francis Elliott was chosen to serve as State Forester, the first of eleven leaders selected for the executive role during the next one hundred years. Over the next several decades, the role of the State Forestry Department (which evolved into the Oregon Department of Forestry) expanded to include researching forest disease and insect damage, management of forests deeded to State ownership after property tax defaults in the 1920s through 1940s, enforcement of natural resource protection laws, promoting forest conservation, ensuring water quality and fish habitat conservation on forestlands, providing education and assistance to forest landowners and assisting Oregon cities with urban forests. Protecting 15.8 million acres of forest in Oregon, mostly privately owned, from fire remains the top priority of the Oregon Department of Forestry. The fires of 1910 shaped modern fire management, wildland fire fighting and fire science research. Those disciplines continue to evolve, with new knowledge emerging all the time about the role of fire in forests, and best ways to suppress and manage fires to protect natural resources and public safety. An unexpected hero of the summer of 1910 was Ed Pulaski. A ranger working for the then-fledgling National Forest Service, Pulaski saved 40 members of his fire fighting crew by shepherding the men into a mine shaft near Wallace, Idaho when flames closed in. Despite suffering smoke inhalation injuries that would plague survivors for years, Pulaski kept all but five men alive without the aid of contemporary fire safety equipment. The following year, Pulaski would introduce a hand tool that combined an axe on one face with a mattock on the opposing face for digging, the basic wildland firefighting equipment still referred to as a "Pulaski." Among the more somber observances scheduled this weekend will be a rededication of the graves of over 50 Forest Service firefighters in St. Maries and Wallace, Idaho from the 1910 fires - among the 78 firefighters who died in the blazes - and the dedication of a Firefighters Memorial in Wallace, Idaho. Additional information about the 1910 Big Burn is available on the U.S. Forest Service Region One website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/1910-centennial/index.html The Oregon Department of Forestry is planning several events and public observances of the Department's centennial in 2011. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Aug 19 13:46:00 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:46:00 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Message from Private Forests to ODF staff regarding budget Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B666FAD990@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News service: ODF Private Forests Division deputy chief Peter Daugherty issued this message about the evolving 2009-11 and 2011-13 budget situation to ODF staff on Thursday. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi everyone ? Earlier this month I shared information about a Private Forests budget shortfall, and promised to get back to you (see below).? But with yesterday?s front page and TV news, I suspect you are more interested in the potential statewide shortfall and its impact on the agency.? It appears that the next statewide revenue forecast, due out August 26, will show that expected General Fund revenues for the current biennium have slipped yet again. This could well mean that the Governor will order additional across-the-board reductions for this biennium, beyond those that resulted from the last revenue forecast, in May.? We don?t yet know the full implications of this new development, and expect to learn more next week. As we?ve discussed before, General Fund available for reduction occurs in our Private Forests and Fire programs. But, as has been the case before, budget reductions have effects across the entire agency. The Executive Team has begun to consider various options ? continuing to adhere to the principles we?ve used in past reduction efforts, with an emphasis on striving to conserve our most valuable asset: our employees. We?ll keep you informed as we learn more about what will be required of us and as we develop the necessary plans. In terms of the previously mentioned Private Forests Program reduction, I had mentioned at that time, it appeared that we would be able to address this shortfall by re-directing work for some employees to projects that are funded with stimulus dollars and other federal sources, averting the need for layoffs. Budget revision work in the districts, reviewed by the area directors and myself, has now confirmed that this is the case. These latest developments are further reminders that our budget difficulties and challenges will continue for some time ? into the 2011-2013 biennium and likely beyond. We will need to think carefully about the services we can provide effectively with the resources available to the agency, while continuing to look in the long-term toward new funding sources. Given all this, speaking on behalf of the Executive Team, I can only repeat that we are extremely grateful for your talent and dedication. Continued change and uncertainty, and the lack of resources to do our jobs as well as we know we can, bring frustration and stress. Thank you for continuing to focus your skills and energy on our work every day. We?ll continue to be in touch as events unfold. Best, Peter Daugherty Deputy Chief, Private Forests Division From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Aug 20 10:51:56 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:51:56 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon's timber harvest in 2009 hits historic lows In-Reply-To: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B666FADAD1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> References: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B666FADAD1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B666FADAE7@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Oregon's timber harvest in 2009 hits historic lows FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Distribution: Major Media August 20, 2010 // Contact: Gary Lettman, 503-945-7408 10-42 A struggling economy, reflected in weak housing and nonresidential construction, drove Oregon's 2009 timber harvest to historic lows. The harvest of 2.748 billion board feet is 20 percent lower than the already depressed 2008 harvest and the lowest since the Great Depression-level harvest of 2.622 billion board feet. Timber harvest information to-date for 2010 shows harvest levels slowly increasing, but a major recovery in harvests is not forecast until 2011 or beyond according to Oregon Department of Forestry economist Gary Lettman. "Oregon's forest industry infrastructure, although much reduced in recent years, remains intact," said Lettman. "There have been numerous recent temporary mill shutdowns, but few mills are being permanently shuttered." Most of the timber harvest decline was in western Oregon, declining from 3.079 billion board feet in 2008 to 2.403 billion board feet in 2009. Even though the eastern Oregon timber harvest volume has been decreasing every year since 2005, the decline in harvest is slowing. Eastern Oregon harvest volume had dropped 45 percent from 2004- 2008, but dropped only 5 percent from 2008-2009. Douglas County jumped in front of Lane County as having the highest volume harvested during 2009, with 384 million board feet. Lane County, the top 2008 producer of timber volume, dropped 22 percent in 2009 to 338 million board feet. In western Oregon, Yamhill was the only county that harvested more timber in 2009 than in 2008, with an increase in harvest of 581 thousand board feet. Klamath County once again harvested the most timber in eastern Oregon, with a cut of 77 million board feet - a 14 percent increase from 2008. Most timber harvested in Oregon comes from forest industry landowners and those harvests declined significantly in 2009, with the change between 2008 and 2009 representing the largest change in timber harvest by ownership class. Cutting 2.583 billion board feet in 2008, the forest industry accounted for 75 percent of Oregon's total volume removed. In 2009, the forest industry's volume harvested decreased by 597 million board feet, a 23 percent drop to 1.986 billion board feet. Most of this decline occurred in western Oregon, where 2009 forest industry harvests decreased in every county. Forest industry timber harvests in eastern Oregon decreased by only 6 percent. The forest industry harvested more timber in 2009 than in 2008 in Klamath, Jefferson, Morrow, and Wasco counties. "Even in a struggling timber economy, Oregon's Native American Tribes and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management were able to increase timber harvests in 2009," Lettman said. Tribal timber harvests increased 13 percent for 2009 to a total of 65 million board feet. The Bureau of Land Management increased harvest from 2008 by 26 percent to a total of 147 million board feet, making 2009 that agency's highest timber harvest since 1999. For more information please contact Gary Lettman, Principal Forest Economist, at 503-945-7408 or glettman at odf.state.or.us. This information and more is available in the recently released Oregon Department of Forestry 2009 Annual Timber Harvest Report - a compilation of statewide data pertaining to timber harvests. The 2009 report, as well as previous years' annual reports, is available online on the department's website at www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/FRP/annual_Reports.shtml. ### For questions regarding the Private Forests News service: Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Aug 30 08:49:52 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:49:52 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board -Sept. 8 meeting in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B666FAE518@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Forestry Board to present urban forestry awards at Sept. 8 meeting in Salem For immediate release August 30, 2010 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420, dpostrel at odf.state.or.us The Oregon Board of Forestry and Oregon Community Trees, a conservation organization, will present the annual State Urban Forestry Awards at the board's next regular meeting on Sept. 8 in Salem. Eight recipients will be recognized for their work to promote urban forests. Other items on the board's agenda include: * Stream monitoring update - The Riparian Function and Stream Temperature (RipStream) monitoring project is designed to measure the effectiveness of stream protection rules as prescribed for state-owned forests and private forestlands. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon State University College of Forestry staff will provide a progress report. * Oregonians' values and beliefs about forestry and forest issues - Results of surveys and focus groups conducted in spring 2010 will be presented. * Oregon indicators of sustainable forest management - Board members will receive an update on the 19 indicators, including a first report on the indicator, "Compliance with forestry regulations." * 2011 Forestry Program for Oregon -ODF staff will seek board approval to initiate a 90-day public comment period on the draft update of the board's strategic planning document. * Mary Rellergert Forestry Education award - The board will honor individuals who have made significant contributions to public education and understanding of forestry in Oregon with the Mary Rellergert Forestry Education award. The award is given annually in honor of former Tillamook State Forest Education Coordinator Mary Rellergert, who died in February 2004. * State Forests planning - ODF staff will present a background paper describing how other Oregon state government natural resource agencies adopt management plans and measure their performance. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters office, in the Tillamook Room, Building C, 2600 State St., in Salem. The meeting is open to the public, and comments will be received on forestry-related items not included in the agenda during a general 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 department's 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 the Sept. 8 meeting agenda items is available through the "2010 Meeting Schedule" link on the website. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: