From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Feb 1 10:22:03 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 10:22:03 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests meets on February 8 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660929B68@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry News Brief Released: February 1, 2010 Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests meets on February 8 WHAT: Engaging Oregonians through collaborative efforts to advance understanding, assessment, and report of forest sustainability. The Roundtable is an open, participant-driven network and a forum for discussion and action; a gathering place for anyone who is interested in Oregon's forests - to share information, evaluate and discuss forest conditions and trends, build common ground, and help shape a common understanding and vision for the future of Oregon's forests. During this meeting, the Roundtable will hear a report on recent Board of Forestry discussion and action regarding the Roundtable concept; begin work on a draft charter; discuss short-term communications and outreach and future meeting logistics; begin work on a draft shot-term work plan; and finalize agreement on next steps. WHO: The Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests WHEN: 9: a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday, February 8, 2010 WHERE: Oregon Department of Forestry Salem Campus, Tillamook Conference Room - Building C, 2600 State Street WHY: The Roundtable creates the opportunity to promote forest resource management in a manner that integrates environmental, economic, and social considerations, using the goals and objectives of the Forestry Program for Oregon and the Oregon Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management as common state frameworks. MORE INFORMATION: More information about the Roundtable, including the February 8 meeting agenda, is available on the Roundtable's website at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/indicators/roundtable.shtml. Contact: David Morman, Oregon Department of Forestry, at 503-945-7413 or dmorman at odf.state.or.us. ### Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Feb 1 11:13:46 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 11:13:46 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Summer 2010 seasonal employment Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660929BB9@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News service members: On Monday February 1, The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) posted seasonal recruitment information for Summer 2010 seasonal fire fighting employment using the new Oregon E-Recruit system. ODF is seeking the following positions for assignment throughout Oregon: 1) Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist Entry 2) Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist 3) Forest Officer Entry 4) Forest Officer To apply, please visit the State of Oregon Jobs Page -- www.oregonjobs.org -- and click on the "Access Oregon E-Recruit System" link for complete details on how to apply and to view open job announcements. If you have any questions regarding the new on-line recruitment system or would like more information about how to apply for a position using the new E-Recruitment System please contact Candice O'Bryant (503-945-7290) or Mary Hildebrandt (503-945-7294) with ODF Human Resources. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Feb 5 13:33:02 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:33:02 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Ackerman, Springer appointed to Forestry Board In-Reply-To: <8CD18C5BD70D6F4BB2B636295905299C83CAEF7A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> References: <8CD18C5BD70D6F4BB2B636295905299C83CAEF7A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B66092FA26@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. For immediate release Major media distribution February 5, 2010 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425 office 10-04 503-508-0574 cell Ackerman, Springer appointed to Oregon Forestry Board Forestland owner Gary Springer and conservation group director Sybil Ackerman have been appointed to the Oregon Board of Forestry. They replace board members Bill Hutchison and Larry Giustina, whose second terms will expire this spring. "I immensely appreciate Gov. Kulongoski's timely appointment of the new board members,? Board Chair John Blackwell said. ?Sybil Ackerman and Gary Springer bring competent and knowledgeable leadership to the Board of Forestry." Active in Oregon environmental causes since the 1990s, Ackerman is currently executive director of the Portland-based Lazar Foundation, which funds projects to protect the environment throughout the Pacific Northwest. Prior to her employment with the Lazar Foundation, she was legislative affairs director for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. Her credentials also include positions with the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society of Portland. Ackerman has served on forest-related advisory committees including the Forestry Program for Oregon Revision Committee, State Forest Advisory Committee, and the State Forest Habitat Conservation Committee. She currently serves on Gov. Kulongoski?s Nearshore and Environmental Justice task forces. She holds an environmental law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School, a master?s degree in environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a baccalaureate in environmental studies from Scripps College. Springer is a staff forester with Starker Forests, Inc. of Corvallis and also handles policy and public outreach duties for the family-owned company. In addition, he owns and manages the 80-acre Chinquapin Point tree farm in Harlan. From the 1970s through the 1990s, he was a partner in Springer Logging, his family?s contract logging business. Springer has served on a variety of forestry-related boards and committees, including the Forest Practices Advisory Committee and the Committee for Family Forestlands. He currently serves on the Oregon Small Woodlands Association and Oregon Society of American Foresters executive committees, and on research advisory committees at the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Forestry. He was a member of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute board until his nomination to the Board of Forestry. Springer holds a baccalaureate in general humanities from OSU. Gov. Ted Kulongoski announced his nomination of Springer and Ackerman on Jan. 11, and the Oregon State Senate confirmed both appointees on Feb. 5. The board consists of seven governor-appointed members, with the Oregon State Forester serving as secretary. The term of office is four years, and no member may serve more than two consecutive full terms. The mission of the board is to lead Oregon in implementing policies and programs that promote environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable management of Oregon?s public and private forests. Attorney Bill Hutchison of Portland has served two terms on the board. His second term will expire on June 30 of this year. Larry Giustina, managing partner of Eugene-based Giustina Land & Timber Co., will leave the board on April 30 when his second term expires. "Larry and Bill have given tirelessly during eight years of service to Oregon and Oregonians," Blackwell said. More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD. ### EDITORS NOTE: Photos of Ackerman and Springer can be obtained by contacting Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us. From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Feb 5 13:48:32 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:48:32 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Agencies recognize forest landowners for restoring habitat for fish and wildlife Message-ID: <8624F561E5B896439490ED8208D03B0B05A166D4@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS RELEASE February 5, 2010 Contacts: Kevin Weeks, Oregon Department of Forestry, (503) 945-7427 Meg Kenagy, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, (503) 947-6021 Agencies recognize forest landowners for restoring habitat for fish and wildlife Salem, Ore.? Four forest land managers received awards at the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting today for their work to improve fish and wildlife resources through forest stewardship activities. Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair Marla Rae and Board of Forestry Chair John Blackwell presented awards to three private-sector land managers and a public management district. The awards are presented by the Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Forestry to recognize the efforts of landowners who contribute substantially to fish and wildlife through forest stewardship and who work for the long-term conservation of Oregon?s native species in step with the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and the Oregon Conservation Strategy. The 2009 award winners are: Bud Henderson, Hampton Resources, Astoria Henderson was recognized for habitat improvements and innovative forestry practices that benefit fish and wildlife on lands managed by Hampton Resources. He played an integral role in the successful reintroduction of wild coho and winter steelhead near the Big Creek Fish Hatchery and completed a number of habitat improvement projects in Clatsop County, including off-channel habitat developments, native riparian vegetation restoration, stream channel reconnection, fish passage improvements through the replacement of stream crossings with bridges and fish passable culverts and large wood placements. One of Henderson?s projects was featured on the History Channel?s Ax Men series. Tom Hoesly, Menasha Forest Products Corporation, North Bend and Joel Nelson, Plum Creek, Coos Bay Over the past two years, Menasha Forest Products Corporation and Plum Creek partnered with the Coquille Watershed Association, ODFW and ODF to implement a large-scale habitat project that will improve habitat in 20 miles of streams in the North Fork Coquille watershed. According to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the 2008 phase of the project is the largest-scale instream restoration project ever implemented in Oregon. The streams provide important spawning and rearing habitat for coho and chinook salmon, steelhead trout and resident cutthroat trout. The increase in large wood and pool complexity will be immediate and enhance through time. Paul Stell, Bend Park and Recreation District, Bend Paul Stell, Bend Park and Recreation District, was recognized for restoration work in Shevlin Park which, under his direction, has become a model of multi-resource management. Along Tumalo Creek, large diameter logs were placed to protect stream banks, narrow the creek channel and provide pool habitat for fish and other wildlife. Streamside vegetation was protected during habitat work and there is no sign of heavy equipment damage to soils. The forest is managed for uneven-aged stands and tree species diversity. Many snags support a variety of wildlife. Over-stocked stands of young ponderosa pine have been thinned to encourage tree growth and remove fuels that contribute to wildfire. The award program, jointly administered by ODFW and ODF, was created in 1996. Since that time, 45 forest landowners have received the Steward Award for Forest Lands. More information Oregon?s forests are a valued renewable natural resource, providing a balanced mix of social, environmental and economic benefits to the state. More information is available on the ODF website, www.oregon.gov/ODF For information on the Oregon Conservation Strategy, visit ODFW?s Web site, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/index.asp Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watershed information is found on the Oregon Plan Web site, http://www.oregon-plan.org/ ### Questions about the Private Forests News service? Contact: Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Feb 8 10:17:19 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:17:19 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forest Biomass Work Group meets February 22 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B66092A44B@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forest Biomass Work Group meets February 22 in Salem February 8, 2010 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 A workgroup of representatives from state government, forest industries, renewable energy development and the environmental community will meet in Salem on February 22 to talk about the role of Oregon's forests in providing energy production from wood. The Forest Biomass Work Group will meet on Monday February 22 at 10:00 a.m. in the Administration Building (Tillamook meeting room) of the Oregon Department of Forestry complex, 2600 State Street in Salem. Time is provided in the agenda for a working lunch - participants may bring their own lunch or contribute money towards a shared lunch. Members of the public attending the meeting are encouraged to bring a lunch. An agenda for the meeting is under development. Members of the public are invited to 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 prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at (503) 945-7427. Timber that may not have a market saw-log value -- either from being too small, damaged, waste from mill production or being too far from a potential milling market - holds great potential for producing energy. Forest biomass is a renewable source of energy, as wood biomass is generated as a by-product of active forest management. 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 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Feb 10 09:17:09 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:17:09 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets February 16 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B66092FA2F@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands meets February 16 in Salem February 10, 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 Tuesday February 16, 2010 at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room). The agenda for the meeting is under development. 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 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?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 ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Feb 10 15:59:51 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:59:51 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board Approves Acquiring New State Forestland in Central Oregon Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B66092A8B5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Major Media Distribution Feb. 10, 2010 Doug Decker, (503) 701-0236 Forestry board approves acquiring new state forestland in Central Oregon The Oregon Board of Forestry Wednesday approved the purchase of 43,000 acres of forestland in Central Oregon as a first step in a long-range effort to acquire nearly 100,000 acres of nearby land. This purchase will create the first new state forest is about 70 years. State officials had initially hoped to buy an additional 25,000 acres immediately to the east, but public financing is not currently available. The department is working with a non-profit conservation group - The Conservation Fund - which is purchasing those lands until future state purchases are possible. "This is truly a historic moment," board chair John Blackwell said. "We've assured that this land remains in forest use, providing a whole range of benefits for future generations. That's especially important these days, when we're facing permanent loss of forestland to development and other uses." The tract is 50 miles south of Bend in northern Klamath County, east of Highway 97 near the community of Gilchrist. The purchase is financed with $15 million in bonds approved by the 2009 legislature with support from Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The bonds will be repaid over 20 years with proceeds from the Oregon Lottery. "Oregonians value their forests, and it's heartening when we have an opportunity to keep a piece of forest land in forest use," Kulongoski said. The state is purchasing the property from Fidelity National Timber Resources, Inc., which has owned it since 2006. "This is a good outcome for all parties involved," said Nancy Craven of Fidelity. The property is part of larger holdings owned by the Gilchrist Timber Company for most of the 20th century. The community of Gilchrist was a "company town," the site of the company mill and home to many of its workers. The Gilchrist family sold the property and mill in 1991 to Crown Pacific, which liquidated the forest to pay debt and eventually entered bankruptcy in 2003. The land, which once supported expanses of large Ponderosa pine trees, was heavily harvested in the early 1990s, following the Gilchrist Timber Company sale. The land was replanted as required by Oregon's Forest Practices Act, and is now stocked with trees about 20 years old. It will be several decades before the forest will be able to provide timber sale revenue to Klamath County to support local services. In the meantime, the state Department of Forestry will manage it to restore the densely packed young stands and to create a forest that eventually provides many benefits, including diverse wildlife habitat, ongoing flows of clean water, and recreation opportunities, in addition to forest products and revenues. Eventually, revenue also may come from "carbon credits," paid to forest owners for their value in absorbing gasses associated with global warming. "Without this action today, this land may have faced a dramatically different future," State Forester Marvin Brown said. Years away from providing revenue from timber harvest, the land was not a likely purchase prospect for forestland investors. It most likely would have been divided into many smaller parcels, with a scattering of homes and other development. This would have increased fire danger while severely limiting larger scale management for wildlife habitat, public recreation opportunities and other benefits. In addition to the Gilchrist lands, the Department of Forestry manages 781,000 acres of forestland, about 3 percent of Oregon's forests. This includes the Tillamook State Forest, restored under state ownership after severe fires in the mid-20th century, and the Elliott State Forest. The Elliott is owned by the State Land Board - the governor, state treasurer and secretary of state - and managed by ODF under contract. The newest state forest, the Sun Pass State Forest just south of Crater Lake, was acquired between 1943 and 1948. Brown said the Gilchrist acquisition reflects the work and support of many people and groups, including the legislature, the governor, Fidelity and Klamath County commissioners. # # # # Maps and other information about the acquisition are available on-line at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/gilchristacquisition.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Feb 12 16:58:21 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:58:21 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF Update from Marvin Brown Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B66092FA35@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> State Forester Marvin Brown sent this message to Oregon Department of Forestry employees Friday. Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 ________________________________________ From: BROWN Marvin D Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 9:42 AM Dear Fellow Employees, There have been several significant events of late and we wanted everyone to be aware. You know that the ballot measures to retain legislatively adopted tax increases passed. That has taken some pressure off the need to reduce state budgets. At the same time, the most recently released revenue forecast projects a continued decline in revenue and the legislature is debating how to deal with that. The forecast suggests a negative balance for this biennium of a little over $100 million. There is a special legislative session occurring this month and we may be asked to propose additional cuts to help make up the shortfall. Most of what I hear suggests they are looking at a number of options and hopefully any impact on our department will be somewhat small. Also, right now, there are no significant policy issues before the special session that would involve Forestry, but it has been a good opportunity to keep up with some key contacts. Even though we are not currently dealing with new budget cut requests, we have recently moved ahead on some additional reductions that have been planned for this biennium. Once reductions in the operating programs were implemented we began looking at administrative areas and have made decisions on how to reduce spending in those functions. Unfortunately, they involve vacating or leaving vacant some administrative positions, in addition to curbing other expenses. All of this has been initiated, including the notification of affected employees. I?ll say again that this has been an extremely trying time for the entire Department. Yet I couldn?t be more proud of how everyone has dealt with such difficult challenges. Clearly we haven?t been able to continue providing the level of service we would like, but everyone has stayed highly productive and I feel we remain a ?can do? agency. My sense is that all of you are working hard to keep morale up and your outlook positive. I thank you very much for those efforts. On a much more upbeat note, the Board of Forestry has authorized us to proceed with the Gilchrist lands purchase and we hope to close in just a few weeks. Last session, with the much appreciated help and support of Governor Kulongoski, the legislature authorized us to use economic development bonds that will be repaid from Lottery receipts. We have enough funds to initially purchase about 43,000 acres and a non-profit partner, The Conservation Fund, has agreed to purchase an additional 25,000 acres that we will also manage and eventually repurchase from them. These are all lands that without our purchase would likely become fragmented over the coming years, causing fire problems and making management for other forest benefits less and less likely. There remains a little over 30,000 acres that we would also like to purchase at some point, but for now we are adding a great 68,000 acre Ponderosa-lodgepole pine forest to our state forest system??the first new state forest in nearly 70 years! Doug Decker, Project Leader, working with many other field and staff personnel did a tremendous job seeing this through??.very well done! In other state forest news, our long and arduous journey to complete a new forest management plan and habitat conservation plan for the Elliott State Forest has entered a new, and hopefully, final phase. The State Land Board and the Board of Forestry agreed to set a due date for obtaining habitat conservation plan approval from the federal government by December, 2011. If that doesn?t happen they directed that we would operate under a management plan involving endangered species take avoidance instead. To be prepared for this possibility we will spend the next two years modifying the plan we have been working on, and instituting endangered species surveys that will be necessary to comply with take avoidance. Finally??I hope you all get a chance soon to meet our new Administrative Division Chief Satish Upadhyay?.I hope you took note of Jeanne Davis? reminder to start nominating fellow employees for our achievement awards?.I hope we get some mountain snow pack?.quickly??and I hope we all have a great 2010! Take care and thanks. Marvin Brown From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Feb 16 08:19:10 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:19:10 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] 2010 Starker Lectures presented by OSU Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660A5A7BB@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members - The 2010 Starker Lecture Series is beginning in March at the Oregon State University College of Forestry in Corvallis. The lecture schedule is provided for your information. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Starker Lecture Series is sponsored by the Starker Family in Honor of T.J. and Bruce Starker and is supported by the OSU College of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. Website: http://starkerlectures.forestry.oregonstate.edu/ The lectures are free and open to the public! Thursday, March 4, 2010 3:30 - 5:00 pm OSU, College of Forestry, RH 107 Corvallis, OR Ecosystem Service Markets: Potential and Pitfalls Sara Vickerman, Senior Director, Biodiversity Partnerships, Defenders of Wildlife, West Linn, OR Crossing Jurisdictional Boundaries: An Integrated Ecosystem Credit Accounting System and a Standard Credit Issuance Process David Primozich, Executive Director, Willamette Partnership, Salem, OR Tuesday, April 6, 2010 3:30 - 5:00 pm OSU, College of Forestry, RH 107 Corvallis, OR Markets for Ecosystems Services Bettina von Hagen, CEO, Ecotrust Forest Management, Inc., Portland, OR Thursday, April 22, 2010 3:30 - 5:00 pm OSU, College of Forestry, RH 107 Corvallis, OR Ecosystems Services from Forest Lands: The Oregon Approach Ted Lorensen, retired Assistant State Forester, Salem, OR Thursday, May 6, 2010 3:30 - 5:00 pm OSU, LaSells Stewart Center Construction & Engineering Auditorium Corvallis, OR Ecosystems Services Capstone Lecture Sally Collins, Director, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets, Washington D.C. Friday, May 7, 2010 9:00 am - 3:00 pm OSU, College of Forestry, Richardson Hall/Hatfield Courtyard Corvallis, OR Capstone Field Trip Lunch provided RSVP by April 30th ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Feb 19 08:31:26 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:31:26 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Private Forests Transition Update - February 18, 2010 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660A5ACB1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members - Peter Daugherty, deputy chief of the Oregon Department of Forestry's Private Forests Division, provided this update on transitions within the Private Forests Division on Thursday. Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 From: DAUGHERTY Peter Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 Statewide Stewardship Conference Salem will be hosting a Statewide Stewardship Forester Conference near Salem in the second week of April (6, 7, and 8th). Please mark your calendars for this meeting. We will be drafting an agenda and sending out meeting location and logistics shortly. Salem Staff Changes Lanny Quackenbush has left ODF to join Department of State Lands as their Eastern Region Manager working out of the Bend office. While I would like to blame years of hearing "what's good for Eastern Oregon is good for the state" at EOA stewardship conferences for the move, the fact is that DSL offered Lanny a permanent position, something the Program did not. Lanny had a great deal of expertise that will be sorely missed and his departure has left the Program with a number of holes to fill. Lorene Judge has joined the Private Forests Program and the ODF Partnership Development Program as the Budget and Fiscal Manager. Lorene comes to the Program with a wealth of budget and fiscal management skills, and will provide leadership and management of the budgets for both programs. She will serve as liaison to Private Forests Program for grant planning, application, and implementation of selected grants administered by the Partnership Development Program. Lorene will also manage planning and budgeting activities of the Private Forests Program; supervise the Forest Health Management unit, and carry out special projects to achieve Program and Department goals. We have also just learned that Susan Shaw (Salem Compliance Audit Specialist) will be leaving the agency to join Weyerhaeuser at their Albany office. We will miss Susan, but we are happy for her to be practicing again in the geotechnical field. Fortunately, she will not be going far and we are sure to continue to benefit from her expertise as a partner and stakeholder. Her last day will be February 26 - stay tuned for an invitation for a goodbye lunch. Workload Adjustments, Shifted Duties, and New Approaches Forests Health Management As mentioned above, Lorene Judge will manage the Forests Health Management (Insect and Disease) unit. While she has the necessary management experience, she has quite a learning curve on the technical side of the (e.g., SOD is not something you put in your front yard). To facilitate the transition, I have asked Rob Flowers to take the lead on policy and technical issues for the I & D unit. One task he is working on already is coordinating current and future bark beetle grant work. He has been contacting stewardship foresters to discuss the status of current grants and need for future cost-share work. On the Sudden Oak Death (SOD) front, the Program is creating a SOD field unit in Brookings, which will report to Jim Young at the Coos District office. The department received $2.7 million in ARRA funds for SOD eradication and host removal. The SOD program has grown sufficiently to warrant a limited duration Forest Manager 1 position to direct the fieldwork. We will be recruiting for this position as soon as possible. We expect to add additional limited duration positions to do field verification of infections, eradication and host-removal treatment layouts, contract administration, etc. Enforcement and Civil Penalties Marganne Allen will take on Lanny's role as Civil Penalty Administrator and has the authority to approve consent orders, but will work with Districts to support solutions developed in District Reviews. We will continue to follow the interim process outlined in prior Transition updates, but the Program will focus on eliminating all but necessary steps in the civil penalties process. We still have the short-term objective of moving quickly and efficiently to process new and close out existing high-priority cases. Marganne will make arrangements to provide Districts with a list of cases and their status and from which priorities will be established. The longer-term objective is to identify procedures and tools that would streamline and improve the civil penalties process while maintaining the objective of making positive changes in the resource protection behavior of the person cited. Safe Harbor, Stewardship Agreements, and the Healthy Forest Reserve Program Lanny was also leading the Program effort (with US Fish and Wildlife) on developing a programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) for Northern Spotted Owls. When used in conjunction with a Stewardship Agreement, the SHA can provide regulatory certainty for landowners. ODF and USFWS collaborated with Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to link the SHA with their Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP), which provides payment to landowners for spotted owl habitat. With the concurrence of Link Smith and Dave Lorenz at ODF's West Lane District in Veneta, Paul Clements has agreed to step up to complete this work. In addition to finishing the work on Stewardship Agreements and developing practices associated with the HFRP, Paul will be drafting an agency directive and procedures on the use of Stewardship Agreements. Paul will also use the work with NRCS to develop concepts and procedures on how the department can work effectively with NRCS. Paul will continue to work out of the West Lane office. Salem will provide technical assistance as needed and the District will provide supervision for this developmental opportunity. New Approaches With the reduction of Salem technical staff, the Program needs to rely on field expertise to complete some of its policy and procedures work and to explore new ways of business. This approach has the added benefit of better connecting Salem and the Field. Peter Daugherty Deputy Chief, Private Forests Division Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State Street Salem, OR 97310 Office (503) 945-7482 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Feb 19 16:03:55 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:03:55 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Statewide forest assessment on Forestry Board March 3 agenda Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660A5ADBB@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE For immediate release Major media distribution Feb. 19, 2010 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425 10-11 Statewide forest assessment on Forestry Board March 3 agenda The Oregon Board of Forestry will hear reports on a statewide forest assessment, scientific review of the state forest plans, and restructuring of the Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) budget when it meets on March 3 in Salem. Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy ODF staff will give a status report on the Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy project. A 16-member committee has identified six priority issues to be addressed by the federally mandated assessment: * Communities at risk from wildfire * Maintaining Oregon's forestland base * Diversity of forest habitats * Invasive Species * Quality of aquatic habitats * Climate change The committee made up of landowners, representatives of forestry and environmental organizations, and federal and state resource agencies has developed a set of questions that address three types of forest conditions and trends, including those: * that remain more or less stable or predictable over time. * that change widely and are much less predictable over time. * whose outcomes could be interpreted differently as to importance contingent on the perspective of the interpreter. Under the 2008 Farm Bill, states that participate in the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry programs must complete an assessment. Private Forests work plan ODF staff will present a revised-draft board work plan that addresses two primary questions: * How will the board provide direction on Private Forests program budget and financing with a goal to reduce vulnerability to economic cycles and increase the consistency of funding and resources? * How will the board monitor Private Forests program policy implementation to address the challenges on private forestlands, with an aim to achieve sustainable forest management across all Oregon forestlands? The board previously identified forest fragmentation and the conversion of forestland to other uses as the key challenges to conserving Oregon's nearly 11 million acres of privately owned forest. Scientific review of State Forest plans In response to requests by the Board of Forestry and the State Land Board for a current scientific perspective on the revised state forest management plans, staff will present options for an outside review of the northwest and southwest plans. To be conducted by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST), the review will: * examine the efficacy of the revised plans * evaluate the Species of Concern and Salmon Anchor Habitat strategies * gauge how effectively the social and economic effects of the plans have been addressed Appointed by the governor and legislative leadership, the IMST is made up of scientists with recognized expertise in an array of natural resource disciplines. Mid-Columbia Steelhead Conservation and Recovery Plan Sue Knapp, natural resources advisor to the governor's office, will report on Oregon's Mid-Columbia Steelhead Conservation and Recovery Plan that was recently approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The plan describes the population status of and recovery plans for Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead in the Fifteen-mile Creek, Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla, and Walla Walla river sub-basins of the Columbia River. The presentation will set the stage for the board to consider endorsing ODF's actions within the Conservation and Recovery Plan. Department of Forestry budget restructuring Staff will present a set of objectives for improving ODF's budget structure and funding levels. They will seek the board's endorsement to pursue the objectives by drawing on a broad coalition of interests willing to craft suggestions for achieving them and to work with the board and ODF in seeking legislative support during the 2011 legislative session. 2011-2013 budget development The board will receive a status report on development of the ODF budget for the 2011-2013 biennium. 2011 legislative concepts The board will receive an update on the status of draft legislative concepts for the 2011 Oregon legislative session. Meeting time and location The Board of Forestry meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry office, the Tillamook Room - Administration 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 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 2010 Meeting Schedule link. ### Questions about the Private Forests News service? Contact: 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 Feb 22 12:35:46 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:35:46 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets February 25 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660A5AF95@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets February 25 in Salem February 22, 2010 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will update coordinating committee members this week on a project to assess Oregon's current forest resources. The 2010 State of Oregon Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy is designed to identify Oregon's current forest resources and develop a strategy for integrating federal, state and private forestry programs to address concerns including wildfire, keeping forests working as forests, diversity of forest habitats for fish and wildlife, prevention of invasive species and managing climate change. The Statewide Forest Assessment will identify high priority areas within Oregon for taking action. The discussion about the Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy project will occur Thursday February 25, 2010 from 10:00am to 12:30pm at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room) during a meeting of the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee. The proposed agenda for the meeting includes reports on development of information products, public outreach efforts, discussion of spatial analysis methodology and developing a report on the project for presentation to the Oregon Board of Forestry. 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 prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7368. 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. States are also required to report on the effectiveness of how federal funding was used in priority regions. The Farm Bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which in turn provides funding for many ODF services in urban and community forestry, forest health protection, forest stewardship and state fire assistance through the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry Program. Additional information about the 2010 Forest Assessment Resource Strategy project is available on the ODF website: www.oregon.gov/ODF Oregon's forests are among one of the state's most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic and social benefits. ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Feb 22 13:10:12 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:10:12 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forest health improvement project underway in Clatsop County Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660A5AFA5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE For immediate release February 22, 2010 Contact: John Hawksworth, 503-325-5451 NR10-11 Forest health improvement project underway in Clatsop County Oregon workers will begin pre-commercial thinning treatments on 413 acres of the Clatsop State Forest this month to improve forest health. Funded by a $28,910 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, the project will open up selected younger tree stands with an aim to boost the growth and vigor of the remaining trees. (A thinning in which the trees that are removed have little or no economic value is referred to as a "pre-commercial thinning.") "In units where the management plan calls for complex forest structure, the thinning will promote development of understory vegetation and large trees," Oregon Department of Forestry's John Hawksworth said. The department's Astoria District manages the Clatsop State Forest. The resulting increase in stand complexity will provide diverse habitats for wildlife. And the selective thinning will also promote wind firmness. Three Brothers Reforestation, Inc. of Independence submitted the low bid and was awarded the contract for the work. The company will field a crew of eight to 12 workers to fell trees on 10 sites located throughout Clatsop County. Two ODF personnel will be funded through the grant to oversee this and future Recovery Act projects in the district, Hawksworth said. The thinning project is scheduled to be completed in March. The U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Region awarded the Recovery Act grant to ODF. More information on Oregon Department of Forestry Recovery Act projects can be found at: www.oregon.gov/odf. For information on all Recovery Act projects being administered by Oregon State Government agencies, go to the Oregon Way website, www.oregon.gov/recovery/index.page. Contractors desiring to bid on other Recovery Act-funded ODF projects are encouraged to go to the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN) Internet site, http://orpin.oregon.gov/open.dll/welcome ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Feb 24 12:33:16 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:33:16 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Integrated Water Resources Strategy meetings Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B660A5B2EA@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: Oregon's Water Resources Department is working on a comprehensive water resources planning effort for the state known as the Integrated Water Resources Strategy. "Integrated" meaning evaluating and finding overlapping opportunities and solutions for the multitudes of uses and needs of water -- recreation, in-stream/fish, irrigation/agriculture, industrial, drinking water, municipal use, etc; said another way -- water quantity, water quality, and ecological issues. Private forestland in Oregon is recognized as a source for much of the state's water supply. Open houses are being held around Oregon by the Water Resources Department to provide an opportunity for gathering input from citizens. See the event flyer: http://www1.wrd.state.or.us/pdfs/2_12_10_Briefer.pdf Integrated Water Resources Strategy Spring Open Houses are scheduled in the following locations -- All open houses will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Gresham - March 31 - Gresham City Hall Ontario - April 7 - The Holiday Inn Hotel Umatilla - April 8 - Umatilla City Hall Bandon - April 22 - Conference and Community Center, "The Barn" Tillamook - April 28 - Tillamook County Library Medford - May 11 - Medford Library Klamath Falls - May 12 - Oregon Institute of Technology Redmond - May 13 - Redmond Fire and Rescue Salem - June 8 - Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Office Eugene - June 10 - Eugene Public Library For additional information, contact the Oregon Water Resources Department at 503-986-0900 or http://www.oregon.gov/OWRD/LAW/Integrated_Water_Supply_Strategy.shtml ### Private Forests News - Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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