From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed May 5 07:41:02 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 07:41:02 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Benton County landowner named to Forestry advisory committee Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B663D6C560@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Benton County landowner named to Forestry advisory committee May 5, 2010 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Forest landowner Sara Leiman has been named to a seat on the Committee for Family Forestlands, an advisory group that provides information about the concerns and interests of small-acreage and family forest owners to the Oregon Board of Forestry. Leiman co-owns and serves as general manager of her family forestland business, Coast Range Conifers LLC based in Monroe, managing 2,814 acres in Benton, Lane and Lincoln counties. Membership of the 10-person 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. Leiman's appointment to the Committee was approved by the Oregon Board of Forestry at the Board's April 22nd meeting in Salem Leiman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley and has served on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Forest Resources Institute since 2004. She has also served on many regional and local leadership boards. Leiman was named Benton County Tree Farmer of the Year in 2005. Leiman assumes a Committee seat representing forest landowners in northwest Oregon, replacing Gary Springer who was recently appointed to the Oregon Board of Forestry. The Oregon Board of Forestry at the April 22, 2010 meeting also named McMinnville resident Susan Watkins as vice-chair of the Committee for Family Forestlands. Watkins moved to Oregon following a thirty-year career in municipal law in California and Washington. After Ms. Watkins and husband Arnie Hollander planted their small forest in Yamhill County in 1994, she became a Master Woodland Manager and is responsible for managing her family woodland. As a landowner representative, Ms. Watkins helped found the Family Forest Project, the public-private initiative that produces the Ties to the Land succession planning materials for landowning families. She has served on the Committee since September 2008. 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. A 2005 study by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute found 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. Additional information about forest management is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry website, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed May 19 07:58:58 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 07:58:58 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets May 26 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B663E91DC4@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Committee for Family Forestlands meets May 26 in Salem May 19, 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 Wednesday May 26, 2010 at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Sun Pass 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 (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. ### 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 May 19 11:15:13 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 11:15:13 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] NRCS announcement CSP deadline Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B663E91E71@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list subscribers- This message is forwarded on behalf of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Please note the CSP allow considers private non-industrial forests for participation in the program. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Conservation Stewardship Program applications due June 11 Producers nationwide are invited to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. The deadline to be considered for the next ranking and funding period is June 11, 2010. Congress limited enrollment for CSP nationally at 12.7 million acres per year. Applicants will compete within state-identified ranking pools. CSP is offered in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods. To apply, download the application form and take it to your NRCS office: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/new_csp/special_pdfs/Blank_CSP_CCC1200.pdf As part of the CSP application process, you'll work with NRCS field personnel to complete your resource inventory using a Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT). The CMT determines the conservation performance for existing and additional conservation activities. For additional information contact your local NRCS service center. ### The documents below are copies of the resource inventory questions, grouped by land use. You can download and review the questions, and begin drafting responses to start resource inventory process before you complete the CMT in your local NRCS office. The documents below require Adobe Acrobat Reader. CMT Tool Forest General Questions (PDF, 10KB) CMT Tool Forest Questions (PDF, 15KB) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri May 21 06:36:44 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 06:36:44 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board to tour, meet in NE Oregon in June Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B663E9211E@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. For immediate release Major media distribution May 20, 2010 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us 10-16 Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420, dpostrel at odf.state.or.us Forestry Board to tour, meet in NE Oregon The Oregon Board of Forestry will tour working forests in Wallowa County on June 8 and then hold its regular business meeting on June 9 in Enterprise. FOREST TOUR JUNE 8 The board tour of Forest Capital Partners' lands will focus on three themes: * Maintaining working forests in eastern Oregon * Non-timber and conservation objectives and values of private working forests * Forest management practices in northeastern Oregon Forest Capital Partners is the largest private forest landowner in northeastern Oregon. The independent investment firm also manages forestlands throughout North America. Members of the public are welcome to join the board tour but are asked to provide their own lunch and transportation. A tour briefing will be held at 8 a.m. in the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Wallowa Unit office, 802 West Highway 82, in Wallowa. BOARD MEETING JUNE 9 Forest Protection Districts' budgets and rates - The board will review and consider for final approval the forest protection district budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010, including the prorated acreage assessment rates. The districts provide wildfire protection to nearly 16 million acres of private and state forestland, as well as federal Bureau of Land Management lands in western Oregon within the forest protection districts. The budgets are funded by a combination of forest landowner and state general fund dollars. External Budget Coalition - State Forester Marvin Brown will update the board on ODF's first meeting with the External Budget Coalition, which has been tasked with helping ODF improve its budget structure and funding. The advisory group is made up of elected officials as well as representatives of conservation organizations and the forest products industry. Objectives of the effort are to: * Simplify the agency budget * Provide limits and create certainty around direct charges to working private lands, to help reduce the economic pressures that may cause landowners to convert their forests to other uses * Stabilize the budget by ensuring a dependable public funding source * Reconnect Oregonians with the values they desire from Oregon forests * Retain stakeholder involvement that assures agency transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency State Forests' Greatest Permanent Value rule - ODF staff will present a framework for discussion of the fundamental policy issues surrounding the Greatest Permanent Value (GPV) administrative rules, which define "greatest permanent value" in the management of Oregon's state forests. The board is reviewing the GPV for possible improvements. No decisions are expected at the June 9 meeting. Private Forests policy implementation - The board will review and discuss the Private Forests Program Policy Implementation Report developed in concert with ODF staff. The report lays out the program's vision and mission. It also specifies actions to keep Oregon's working forests viable, including customized services to support the distinctive needs of the wildland-urban interface, family forestlands, and industrial and investment forests. Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy - ODF staff will present the draft Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy. Over the past eight months staff have been developing the federally mandated assessment and strategy around a set of priority issues identified by a 16-member committee. These range from wildfire risk to communities, to maintaining Oregon's forestland base, to climate change. Following the board's review and discussion, the strategy will be submitted to the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry Program for federal approval. ODF biennial budget development - As part of an ongoing process to develop the proposed 2011-2013 ODF budget, the board will review the most recent refinements of policy packages and budget-reduction concepts. ODF staff developed the drafts based on comments from the board and department stakeholders. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at 309 South River St. in Enterprise. 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 Northeast Oregon District office at least 48 hours before the meeting, 541-963-3168 (La Grande), text telephone 503-945-7213 (Salem). More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/. Background information on the June 9 meeting agenda items will be available soon through the "2010 Meeting Schedule" link on the website. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon May 24 15:12:13 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 15:12:13 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Tillamook Forest Center returns to seven day operation Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B663E9252A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Distribution: Major Media May 24, 2010 Contact: Jim Quiring, PH: 503-815-6817 The Tillamook Forest Center will be open this year seven days a week starting Wednesday May 26th, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend, and continuing through Labor Day. Summer hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Center programming had been reduced to five days per week during the summer of 2009 due to state-wide budget reductions. Budgets continue to be constrained, however, several new partnerships, along with continuing support from the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, matching federal funds, and major assistance from a group of dedicated volunteers, have provided the support needed to extend the Center's days of operation for the coming summer season. A partnership with the Tillamook School District and the Oregon Youth Employment Initiative is providing a crew to work at the Center throughout the summer. Funded by federal stimulus dollars, this youth crew will provide much-needed support maintaining Center trails and grounds, while also giving assistance to the overall visitor services program. These federal dollars are intended to boost the state's economy, and sustain and create jobs. Generous funding support from the non-profit Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust has made it possible to obtain federal matching funds from the Trade Act to provide an additional full-time staff position at the Center for the summer. Through the Act, the federal government provides aid to workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports. Coordination of these supporting funds will be managed by MTC Works, a worker training program, and Cardinal Services, a payroll and human resources firm, both serving the Tillamook County area. "We are extremely fortunate to have this broad support from our community partners, volunteers, and the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust," said Jim Quiring, the director of the center. "Their support will allow thousands of additional visitors to enjoy the Center and learn more about this beautiful State Forest." The award-winning Tillamook Forest Center showcases the Tillamook State Forest through a state-of-the art 'green' building, a 40-foot-tall fire lookout tower, and 250-foot-long suspension bridge over the Wilson River. Engaging, interactive exhibits bring the forest alive and staff naturalists offer free, family-friendly nature programs for visitors, as well as curriculum-guided education programs for school groups. The Center offers free admittance but gladly welcomes contributions to the donor-supported Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust (a 501(c) (3) charitable organization), which assists with the costs of programs and operations. For more information about the Center and the Trust, visit the Center's website at www.tillamookforestcenter.org. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed May 26 14:55:13 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 14:55:13 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] New OFRI report examines federal forests in Oregon Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B663F0B64A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list subscribers- This news release is forwarded at the request of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> OREGON FOREST RESOURCES INSTITUTE News Release Contact: Dave Kvamme - 971-673-2948 May 26, 2010 For immediate release . New OFRI report examines federal forests PORTLAND, Ore. - A new special report on federal forests released by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute this month documents a growing consensus that many forests are sick and require immediate help. The special report, Federal Forestland in Oregon, points out the unhealthy conditions of federally managed forests, particularly those in the dry, eastern and southwestern portions of the state. The report catalogs the causes of the problem, including insects, disease, overstocking and often little or no management beyond fire suppression. But it also finds growing support for large scale forest restoration among scientists, conservationists and land managers for actively managing these sickly forests using techniques such as thinning, fuels reduction and prescribed fire on a landscape level. The report fills a longstanding need for a primer on federal forest issues, says Paul Barnum, OFRI executive director. "I began talking a year ago with a broad cross-section of people about whether this was a topic OFRI should address, and I heard a unanimous 'yes.'" The 24-page report benchmarks what is known about Oregon's publicly owned forestlands managed by the federal government. It also provides historical context for the 18.2 million acres of federal forests here, details current conditions, and lays out in frank terms the impact of federal forest management policies on ecosystems, budgets and communities. The report highlights consensus among scientists, lawmakers, policymakers and conservation groups that passive management - letting nature take its course - especially with forests in Oregon's dry eastern and southwestern areas, is not a viable option. Recommended solutions go by different names, such as active management, ecological forestry and whole-landscape approaches, but all entail prescriptions such as thinning young trees and removing underbrush to restore forest health. "Forest restoration activities, conducted on a landscape-wide basis, can both supply forest products and leave forests healthier and more fire resilient," Barnum concluded. Federal Forestland in Oregon is available by downloading or ordering from the OFRI website, oregonforests.org. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu May 27 14:24:11 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 14:24:11 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State Forester's Message - State Revenue Forecast Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B663F0B7CB@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list subscribers: State Forester Marvin Brown sent this message to ODF staff Thursday afternoon, detailing preliminary ODF responses to the budget reductions implemented following the release of the State Economist?s revenue forecast this week. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Body: Message from Marvin and the Executive Team Hi everyone ? We all got another reminder this week that our economic troubles are far from over, and that tax revenues to state government are inadequate to sustain services at their current levels. As you?ve probably seen in the news, the latest state revenue forecast, released on Tuesday, showed continued weakness in the economy and unemployment persistently above 10 percent in Oregon, even though the recession is officially over. A new budget gap. The forecasts have been showing for some time that agencies will need to cut their budgets sharply for the two-year budget period beginning July 1, 2011. But Tuesday?s forecast raised an additional challenge: Revenue for the current biennium is substantially below earlier estimates, and state government needs to reduce General Fund spending by about $577 million to keep the 2009-2011 budget in balance. That?s about 4.5 percent of the state?s General Fund budget overall, but about 9 percent of the money available to spend during the rest of the biennium. No special session of the Legislature is currently planned to readjust the budget. However, the law does allow the Governor to order across-the-board cuts to balance the budget, and Governor Kulongoski has directed agencies to reduce their remaining 2009-2011 budgets by 9 percent. Limited discretion. In the other budget reduction processes we?ve dealt with recently, we?ve sketched out scenarios for the Legislature?s consideration, with some leeway to propose where within the agency we would reduce spending. The current process provides much less flexibility. The Governor has authority only to reduce appropriations across agencies by an equal percentage. For us, this means General Fund reductions of about $226,800 in Private Forests, $1.4 million in Fire Protection, and $158,600 in Agency Administration. The total reductions in Fire will actually be larger, because General Fund losses there trigger additional losses in landowner assessments. There is no General Fund appropriation in the State Forests Division, which is sustained through timber sale revenue. Time is short. With just about half of the biennium remaining in which to make the necessary cuts, the Governor has asked agencies to submit their plans by June 8, so they can be implemented July 1. The Executive Team has started work on these plans. As we?ve done in the past, we?ll strive to provide the best possible services with the resources we have, while minimizing the need to reduce our workforce ? our most valuable asset. Here?s where we are in preparing our plans: Private Forests. It appears we can reach our target by substituting federal funds for General Fund in some stewardship forester positions; reducing spending on services and supplies; and holding some positions vacant, including the Division Chief position, which Jim Paul held before his recent move to the Department of State Lands. The fund shift in the stewardship forester positions changes those jobs, eliminating Forest Practices administration in favor of the work specified by the federal funding, such as bark beetle treatment. The plan would also reduce Private Forests funds that are used for projects in the Forest Resources Planning Program. Fire Protection. Reducing initial attack always raises the possibility that more fires will escape, costing more in the long run. Conditions are very different in our protection districts across the state, and there?s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each district and Headquarters will be assigned a proportionate share of the overall reduction target, and will work with stakeholders on the best ways to achieve the needed reductions. Instructions are going out to districts today, and plans will be due back in Salem by June 2. Agency Administration. It appears we can reach our target by eliminating funding for several information technology projects. These include a replacement for the Track-It problem-tracking system, and new tools to improve IT security. The long-term outlook. As we?ve discussed in earlier messages, it?s time for a fresh approach to funding public forestry services in Oregon ? one that eliminates our dependence on an ever-diminishing slice of the state?s General Fund. It may seem like a tough time to look for new funding sources. But this latest revenue forecast, on top of the substantial reductions we?ve already experienced, only bolsters the case. We?ll need to think creatively and work with a wide range of stakeholders ? with anyone who has an interest in the forests that are so important to Oregon?s identity and wellbeing. We?ve already begun discussions with the Board of Forestry, legislators, and interest groups. Once again, we thank you for everything you do for Oregonians and their forests, in the face of considerable change, uncertainty and reduced resources. We?ll keep you updated as we face the current budget challenges, and as we search for a better way to support our agency?s important work. Take care, Marvin and the Executive Team -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: