From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 1 10:33:20 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 10:33:20 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon Garden Fire Safety House to serve as life-sized teaching tool Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669A09276@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry - News release The Oregon Garden Fire Safety House to serve as life-sized teaching tool October 1, 2010 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, 503-508-0574 cell, rnichols at odf.state.or.us Rich Hoover, 503-934-8217, 503-370-0033 (pager) The Oregon Garden Foundation is excited to announce a partnership to develop the first full-scale fire prevention and safety house in the nation. Teaming with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Moonstone Garden Management, Inc., and Oregon State University (OSU), the foundation will use grant funds and donations to remodel a home located on The Oregon Garden property in Silverton into one that showcases fire-resistant landscaping and building construction on the outside and home fire prevention and safety on the inside. A memorandum of understanding among the five entities for development of the exhibit will be signed in a public ceremony at 10 a.m. on Oct. 8 at The Oregon Garden. A $600,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will fund development of fire prevention interpretive displays for the exhibit. The grant dollars will also pay for production of a video program chronicling the remodeling work. It will serve as an educational tool for homeowners showing step-by-step how to make their own property less vulnerable to wildfire. In 2009, ODF's Malcolm Hiatt approached The Oregon Garden Foundation about using a house at the popular visitor site for a fire prevention exhibit. "There was a 70s-era house on the property in need of remodeling," Hiatt said. "Our thought was to fix it up as a model of what homeowners in the wildland-urban interface could do with their own homes to make them less vulnerable to wildfire." ODF will oversee improvements to the property and home's exterior, while the OSFM will manage renovations inside the home. "We are thrilled to be a part of this project to raise awareness of home fire prevention and safety," said State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson. "Visitors will get a first-hand look at the things they can do to improve the safety of their families." OSU Extension Service is also lending its expertise to the home redo. Forestry Extension Specialist Stephen Fitzgerald will help to draft a fire-resistant landscaping plan for the property. He said it is a common misconception that a "moonscape" must surround a home to protect it from wildfire. "There's a long list of ornamental plants that are both attractive and resistant to fire," Fitzgerald said. The project began to take shape last year when ODF and OSFM collaborated to seek funding from FEMA. Upon receipt of the $600,000 grant in June 2010, the two state agencies, along with The Oregon Garden Foundation, formed additional partnerships with OSU and Moonstone Garden Management, which will manage the facility once the exhibit is completed. Moonstone Garden Management manages The Oregon Garden and owns several garden-themed visitor facilities along the West Coast including The Oregon Garden Resort. The project is currently in the final design stages, with construction to begin on Oct. 8 with removal of the roof. When completed in July 2011, The Oregon Garden Fire Safety House will demonstrate how any home can be retrofitted to improve its survivability in the event of a wildfire, and the best practices homeowners can employ for fire prevention and safety in the wildland-urban interface. More information about The Oregon Garden, including driving directions, can be found at: www.oregongarden.org. A special reduced admission of $5 will be offered on Friday, Oct. 8 in celebration of the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony. Members of The Oregon Garden receive free admission. The Oregon Garden is currently accepting applications for a variety of volunteer positions. For more information, or to receive an application, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, 503-874-2533. NEWS MEDIA NOTE: The Oct. 8 signing ceremony will be held in front of the Fire Safety House. There will be opportunities to shoot video/stills of the "before" phase of the house, both interior and exterior. (News media personnel covering the ceremony will, of course, be admitted free.) Action shots available that day will include: * Landscapers using a chainsaw, pole pruning saw and loppers to begin the landscaping makeover * Roofers tearing off the cedar shake roof for eventual replacement with fire-resistant materials Individual interview availabilities following the ceremony will include: * Mike Carrier, natural resources policy director, governor's office * Denny Stoll, chair, The Oregon Garden Foundation board * April Purdy, general manager, The Oregon Garden * Randy Simpson, Oregon State Fire Marshal * Stephen Fitzgerald, OSU Extension forester and co-author of the book, "Fire-Resistant Plants for Home Landscapes" * Patti Milne, Marion County Commissioner * Dan Postrel, Agency Affairs Program director, ODF * Tom Kelly, president, Neil Kelly Design/Build Remodeling * Crosby Grindle, NW regional manager, National Fire Protection Association * Laura Barton, trade development manager, Ag Development & Marketing Division, Oregon Department of Agriculture ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Oct 7 14:02:58 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 14:02:58 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF works to maintain public safety following landslide in Tillamook State Forest Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B24F3A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forestry Department works to maintain public safety following landslide in Tillamook State Forest October 7, 2010 Contact: Dan Goody (503) 815-7001 or Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Officials from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Oregon Department of Transportation, and Oregon Emergency Management are working to maintain public safety on Oregon Highway 6 and minimize public impacts in the Tillamook State Forest from a landslide that was discovered earlier this summer. During June 2010, ODF staff detected cracks in portions of Hoskins Creek Road, a forest access road within the Tillamook State Forest, located about 20 miles east of Tillamook. The department's geotechnical and engineering specialists began reviewing the area and determined the road cracks were part of a larger hillside failure in an a landscape where slide activity is part of the natural process. The landslide has continued to move at variable rates over the last four months, moving anywhere from a few inches per day to sometimes over ten feet in one day, depositing large amounts of soil, rock and trees into a tributary stream of Luebke Creek. Preliminary investigation by the department's geotechnical and engineering specialists indicates that the current slide is a reactivation of an ancient landslide, and likely caused by a weak layer of sedimentary rock beneath the hillslope. Road construction work performed in 2008 may have caused an acceleration of these natural geologic processes. The slide is occurring in an area that has a historic pattern of changing geology, and the June 2010 event is likely a continuation of an older, established pattern of land movement common to higher elevations throughout northwest Oregon. During the coming rainy winter months, the potential exists for the slide material to enter the main stem of Luebke Creek and continue downstream to Oregon Highway 6. The Luebke Creek crossing beneath Oregon Highway 6 is located at approximately milepost 21, about one mile west of the Tillamook Forest Center. Luebke Creek has experienced debris flows in the past, most notably in 1996, when a debris flow impacted Highway 6 in this location. "ODF recognizes the potential risk to Oregon's motoring public on Highway 6 that could result from a debris flow," says Dan Goody, Tillamook District Forester for ODF. "We are working closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon State Police (OSP), Oregon Emergency Management and the Tillamook County departments of Public Works and Emergency Management to develop an interagency response plan designed to protect public safety." To protect public safety, ODF has taken several steps to date: * Public access to Hoskins Creek Road has been blocked to protect public safety in the landslide area. * ODF is working with transportation and emergency management agencies to clearly define roles and responsibilities for monitoring the site, keep the public informed, and maintain an action plan regarding the landslide area. * ODOT and ODF are working together to develop a system to warn motorists on Highway 6 and maintain public safety. * ODF is monitoring the landslide area to be sure the action plan is matched to the conditions. Engineering staff from several state agencies are currently assessing the ability to install a motion-sensing early warning system for the slide area. In the event of a debris flow, a detection system would warn ODOT, OSP and Tillamook County that a debris flow situation is imminent, providing crucial advance warning to close Highway 6. "If at any time ODF or ODOT feels there is imminent danger to the motoring public on Highway 6, actions will take place to close the highway," says Goody. The Oregon Department of Forestry manages the 364,000-acre Tillamook State Forest. Additional information about forest management in Oregon is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF Additional information and resources for the news media and the public regarding the Hoskins Creek Road slide are available on the ODF web site at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/newsroom/newsreleases/2010/hoskinscreekslide.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 kweeks at odf.state.or.us -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 8 07:42:15 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 07:42:15 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Tree Farmer Workshop Nov 22 in Portland Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B24FE8@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Tree Farm System - of which the Oregon Department of Forestry is a partner - is reminding people that it's time to recognize Oregon's Tree Farmer of the Year during the Oregon Tree Farm System annual meeting on November 22, 2010 at the World Forestry Center in Portland. The event is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The morning begins with a Tree Farmer Workshop from 9:00-11:00 focusing on "Updates on Log Markets, Taxes & American Forest Foundation" Log markets are very different than when the recession hit; Estate taxes, income taxes and property taxes are in flux; and the American Forest Foundation is in the process of changing its structure. This workshop will cover all of these subjects. >From Noon until 2:00 p.m. is the Tree Farm Recognition Luncheon. The morning workshop will be followed by a brief Oregon Tree Farm System business meeting and then a lunch honoring the County Tree Farmers of the Year by USDA Forest Service regional forester Mary Wagner (invited), and Oregon's State Forester Marvin Brown (invited). The high point of the day will be the showing of a video featuring all of the county tree farmers of the year and the announcement of the Oregon Tree Farmer of the Year for 2010. Sponsors for the event include Oregon Tree Farm System, Oregon Small Woodlands Association, Oregon Forest Resources Institute, OSU Forestry Extension, and the USDA Forest Service. The workshop is free and the lunch cost is $25 per person. For more information, contact Anne Hanschu, at (503) 357-2551 or e-mail: netvetrdh at gmail.com Kevin Weeks - Oregon Department of Forestry -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 8 13:41:22 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 13:41:22 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF welcomes Fegley, Lorenz in new role Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B25094@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ODF Private Forests News subscribers: State Forester Marvin Brown issued this message to ODF staff on Thursday. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As many of you know, two of our key leaders have "officially" retired and will be stepping down from their limited duration positions at the end of the year. We're going to miss them both - Dan Shults, Southern Oregon Area Director, and Jeanne Davis, Human Resources Director. We've made decisions on their successors that I'm pleased to announce. Given continued budget uncertainties we've asked Dave Lorenz, West Lane District Forester, to serve as acting SOA Director, probably through the end of next year's fire season. His assignment will take effect January 1st. We all know Dave and his excellent leadership abilities, and appreciate his willingness to take this on until we know better what next biennium's budget will look like. Link Smith has agreed to step in behind Dave as Acting District Forester. Krista Fegley will start as our new Human Resources Director on November 1st. She comes to us from the Oregon State Police. We were fortunate to have several outstanding candidates for this position. Ultimately, Krista's broad range of experience in Oregon's state government human resources functions proved the best fit for the Department and we are pleased to have her on board. As we continue to work through the many challenges that face the Department strong leadership is critical and I believe we have certainly achieved that by selecting these two individuals. You may know that we continue to hold the Private Lands Division Chief position open to assist in achieving budget reductions that have been directed by the Governor over the last 6 months. Under the circumstances, Resources Planning Director David Morman and Private Lands Deputy Chief Peter Daugherty, and their respective staffs, have had to step in and keep all of the bases covered. They have been doing great work and I really appreciate it. I know that similar circumstances exist throughout the Department and the efforts that everyone has put forward have been tremendous. I can't thank everyone enough. We are working extremely hard to get the agency to a better financial position next biennium. Continue to keep your heads up, your outlook positive and join me in congratulating Dave and Krista. Marvin Brown -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Oct 11 11:58:54 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:58:54 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF News - State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets October 14 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B25207@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets October 14 in Salem October 11, 2010 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Oregon's State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee will meet on Thursday October 14, 2010 from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D - Santiam meeting room). The proposed agenda for the meeting includes review and evaluation of five conservation projects submitted to ODF for potential funding by the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Forest Legacy Program. Projects will be prioritized using National Forest Legacy Program scoring guidelines. Forest Legacy is a national cooperative forestry program of the U.S. Forest Service that seeks to conserve private forest lands in areas where forests may be lost to non-forest uses, to help protect forest resources, and enhance community forest conservation partnerships. The program is administered in Oregon by ODF. The voluntary program provides financial incentives -- using conservation easements, land acquisition or land donation -- for private landowners to protect environmentally important working forest areas that are threatened by development, fragmentation and other non-forest uses. 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. ### 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 Fri Oct 15 06:18:04 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 06:18:04 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets October 21 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B25793@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands meets October 21 in Salem October 14, 2010 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Family forest owners have a voice in Oregon's forest policy development through the 10-member Committee for Family Forestlands, which serves an advisory role to the Oregon Board of Forestry regarding issues of concern to Oregon's family-owned forests. The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday October 21, 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 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 15 10:22:43 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:22:43 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B2582E@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry News Brief Released: October 15, 2010 Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests meets on October 25 WHAT: Engaging Oregonians through collaborative efforts to advance understanding, assessment, and reporting 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 evaluate technical reports on three indicators of sustainable forest management addressing economic issues: forest-related revenues supporting state and local government public services, forest-related employment and wages, and forest products sector vitality. WHO: The Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests WHEN: 9: a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday, October 25, 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 October 25 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. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Oct 18 08:21:36 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:21:36 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Public comment period open on Eisler/Sheffield stewardship agreement Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B25974@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Public comment period open on Eisler/Sheffield stewardship agreement News media contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY REQUEST FOR COMMENTS PROPOSED STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT FOR EISLER/SHEFFIELD PROPERTY LANE COUNTY, OREGON Published in the Eugene Register-Guard PUBLISHING DATE: October 18, 2010 COMMENTS DUE: November 8, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. PROJECT LOCATION: 88613 Nelson Mountain Road, Walton, Oregon. PROPOSAL: Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 527.736(5), the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is proposing to adopt a Stewardship Agreement for the Eisler/Sheffield forest property. The Stewardship Agreement shall serve as Certificate of Inclusion in the Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement for Northern Spotted Owl habitat. HIGHLIGHTS: This Stewardship Agreement is intended to permit David Eisler and Sarah Sheffield to operate a 76-acre forest tract under habitat conservation goals identified in the landowner's forest management plan. This Stewardship Agreement provides the opportunity for the landowners to participate in the Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement for Northern Spotted Owl habitat authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Approval of the Agreement further allows the landowners to participate in the NRCS Healthy Forests Reserve Program. ODF agrees to audit forest operations conducted by the landowners for compliance with Oregon Forest Practices Act standards every three years. HOW TO COMMENT: The project file may be reviewed by appointment at ODF's Western Lane District office. To schedule an appointment to review the file, please contact: Oregon Department of Forestry, Western Lane District 87950 Territorial Highway Veneta, Oregon 97487 (541) 935-2283 Written comments should be received by November 8, 2010 and sent to Marganne Allen, ODF Private Forests Division, 2600 State Street, Salem Oregon 97310. THE NEXT STEP: ODF will consider all public comments received within the public comment period before making a final decision regarding approval of the draft Stewardship Agreement. Copies of the draft stewardship agreement are available on the ODF web site at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/newsroom/newsreleases/2010/eisleragreement.shtml /s/ Peter Daugherty, Acting Chief of ODF Private Forests Division Salem, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Oct 18 15:18:15 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:18:15 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board to hold special meeting Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669A4FA7E@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> ________________________________ From: CHASE Jeri Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 2:49 PM Subject: ODF News: Forestry Board to hold special meeting Tuesday, October 19, 2010 The Oregon Department of Forestry issued the following news release today: Forestry Board to hold special meeting Tuesday, October 19, 2010 For immediate release Major media distribution October 18, 2010 Contact: Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420, dpostrel at odf.state.or.us The Oregon Board of Forestry will hold a special meeting on October 19, 2010, as follow-up to a September 8 executive session related to the annual performance appraisal of the state forester. The meeting, scheduled for 2:30 p.m., well be held by telephone conference call. Members of the public can listen to the proceedings in the Clatsop Room at the Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street, Salem. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance can be arranged through the Department?s Agency Affairs Office, at 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213. From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Oct 19 15:48:00 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:48:00 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Announcement from Board chair John Blackwell Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B25CDD@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE October 19, 2010 For immediate release Major media distribution Contacts: John L. Blackwell: (503) 243-4472 Dan Postrel: (503) 945-7420 Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown is stepping down at the end of the year, Board of Forestry Chair John L. Blackwell announced Monday. The Board accepted Brown's resignation after determining that the Department of Forestry needs fresh leadership. Blackwell, of Portland, said the seven-member board believes that new leadership is essential as the board and the Oregon Department of Forestry address complex and difficult issues ahead. "Marvin has deep knowledge of forestry, and of the many public benefits that sound forest management provides," Blackwell said. "We thank him for his steady leadership and professionalism during challenging times." He praised Brown's role in improving management plans for state-owned forests, and in guiding the board in carrying out Governor Ted Kulongoski's direction to provide a voice and vision for Oregonians in the management of federal forestlands, the bulk of Oregon's forestland base. "For nearly eight years, Marvin Brown has been a key member of my natural resources cabinet," Kulongoski said. "From guiding the discussion on federal forestlands to acquisition of the first new state forest in more than 60 years, Marvin leaves with a solid record of achievement. I wish him all the best in his new endeavors." The Board of Forestry's members, who are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, oversee forest policy matters within the state's jurisdiction, and appoint the state forester, who serves as director of the Department of Forestry. Challenges confronting the board and department include working with forest landowners, conservation groups, community organizations, legislators and others to sustain essential services, such as wildfire protection and enforcement of environmental laws, in the face of a depressed forest economy and shrinking state budgets, Blackwell said. "These services and others are vital in achieving sustainable forests, which in turn benefit the state as a whole," Blackwell said. "Keeping these programs viable in these economic times will require united effort and broad support among many interests, and we'll continue to strive for that unity." Brown's resignation is planned to be effective December 31, 2010. Blackwell said the process for selecting a permanent replacement would begin immediately. Brown, named Oregon's state forester in 2003, has extensive professional experience in the public and private sectors. He held several leadership positions with the Missouri Department of Conservation, including seven years as Missouri state forester. His career experience also includes work in the forest products industry and with numerous professional associations and international forest policy forums. The Department of Forestry's responsibilities include providing fire protection on about 15.8 million acres - primarily privately owned lands - enforcing forest practices and other laws, educating landowners, managing state-owned forestland, and providing urban forestry assistance. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Oct 20 13:24:54 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:24:54 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Upper Willamette River Salmon Recovery Plan Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B25E0E@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: This information is forwarded at the request of the Governor's Natural Resources Office. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and NOAA Fisheries Service are hosting a series of four public meetings on the soon-to-be released plan to restore spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead populations in the upper Willamette River Basin. This Plan - the Upper Willamette River Salmon and Steelhead Conservation and Recovery Plan - is a roadmap and organizing tool to help rebuild these populations listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The four public meetings are scheduled for October and November in Albany, Canby, Eugene, and Salem. ? Albany - Oct. 20th, 6:00 - 8:30 pm, Ciddici's Pizza (Conference Room), 133 5th Ave. SE ? Canby - Nov. 1, 6:00 - 8:30 pm, Hope Village (Conference Room), 1535 Ivy St. ? Eugene - Nov. 8th, 6:30 - 9:00 pm, Eugene Water and Electric Board (Community Room), 500 E. 4th Ave. ? Salem - Nov. 9th, 6:00 - 8:30 pm, Salem Public Library (Loucks Room), 585 Liberty St. SE ODFW will present a broad overview of the Plan and describe how the public can participate in the review process. A draft of the proposed Upper Willamette River Salmon and Steelhead Conservation and Recovery Plan is currently available for public review on the ODFW website at: http://www.dfw.state.us.us/fish/CRP/upper_willamette_river_plan.asp Public comment will also be solicited through a federal process being developed by NOAA Fisheries Service through the Federal Register Notice. The federal site will be available in late October. http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/Willamette-Lower-Columbia/Will/Will-Plan.cfm. Many factors have contributed to the decline of Chinook salmon and steelhead populations in the Willamette Basin, including loss of habitat, effects of dams on fish passage and water temperature, and hatchery fish competition and inter-breeding. The long-term goal of the Plan is to restore each Chinook and steelhead population to the point where they are safe from extinction and can contribute to the economic vitality of the Basin. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Oct 21 06:24:50 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:24:50 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Women Owning Woodland Network event Nov 11 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669B25E90@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Women Owning Woodland Network (WOWnet) will be offering a free tour of the Glen Mountain Grove Center. The Center is dedicated to promoting the well-being of human and natural systems, and is located on 400 acres in a small valley in Southern Douglas County, Oregon, which is part of a 2,500 acre watershed. It includes a salmon bearing stream about two miles in length and is composed of approximately 280 acres of forest, 70 acres of meadows/pasture, and 40 acres in riparian zones with the balance in home sites. This tour will look at Mountain Grove's forest management, including some reforestation, invasive species management, and restoration work done along Woodford creek. The class will be on November 11th, 2010 at 785 Barton Road in Glendale, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. We will be able to drive to some spots and easily walk to others, this will be an interactive outdoor so please dress appropriately. Pre-registration is appreciated, please RSVP to Chrissy Lucas with Oregon State University Extension Service at (541) 766-3556 or email Chrissy.Lucas at oregonstate.edu. Please include your name, address, and other contact information. Women Owning Woodlands Network was formed by Oregon State University Extension Service and local groups of women woodland owners with several objectives: * Recognize the growing number of women taking a wide array of active woodland management roles. * Raise basic forestry and decision making skills through hands-on activities. * Support and increase women's access to forestry related information and encouraging communication through state and local networks. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 22 06:14:25 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:14:25 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board meets Nov 4-5 in Brookings Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669BA067A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE The Oregon Board of Forestry will get a first-hand look at the damage inflicted by Sudden Oak Death disease when it tours a quarantine site near Brookings on Nov. 4. The tour and discussion will focus on efforts to eradicate and slow the spread of the pathogen, which affects tanoak and several other tree and shrub species. On Nov. 5, the board will hold a meeting in Brookings to address the following agenda items: State forests performance measures - Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will present highlights from a report on the nine performance measures used to gauge management effectiveness on Oregon's state-owned forests. The measures help determine whether the appropriate balance of social, economic and environmental benefits is being achieved on state-owned forestlands, which make up about three percent of Oregon's forestland base. Climate change work group update - The board will hear a presentation on the "Forestry Roadmap to 2020," a report that provides desired-future-condition scenarios and recommendations to increase carbon storage in forest ecosystems and long-lived forest products to meet Oregon's 2020 greenhouse gas goal. Forests remove significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the air, one of several gases known to absorb heat in the atmosphere and raise average temperatures. The report was prepared by members of the Forestry Technical Committee of the Oregon Global Warming Commission. Gilchrist State Forest carbon offset - ODF will report its progress in developing a carbon offset project on the Gilchrist State Forest. ODF and The Conservation Fund, a private conservation organization, are jointly pursuing revenue from the sales of carbon offset credits to help fund acquisition of an additional 25,000 acres for the new state forest in Klamath County. A "carbon offset" is a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for, or offset, an emission made elsewhere. Elliott State Forest plan revision - A status report on management planning for the Elliott State Forest will be presented to the Board of Forestry. Elements of the proposed planning scenario include: - Initiating an independent scientific review of aquatic and riparian strategies - Revising or terminating the federal Habitat Conservation Plan for threatened and endangered species - Revising the state's management plan for the Elliott using a take-avoidance strategy (required if the federal Habitat Conservation Plan is terminated) - Determining whether carbon-offset market opportunities exist for the Elliott. The status report was presented last month to the State Land Board, which owns the Elliott State Forest. State Forests' planning rule revision - The board will discuss the State Forests' planning rules, which direct the state forester to develop 10-year management plans for the state-owned forests. Earlier this year, the board initiated a process to review the Greatest Permanent Value (GPV) rule and the planning rules for state forests. The board completed preliminary discussion of the GPV rule in July, and at the Nov. 5 meeting will begin discussion of the planning rules. Private Forests Program policy implementation - ODF staff and the board will continue review and discussion of the Private Forests Program policy implementation report. The report articulates the program's vision and mission and specifies actions to retain the social, economic and ecological viability of privately owned forests. The November 2010 Board discussion will focus on the adequacy of statutes and rules to support the program vision. Improve landowner appeals process - The board will consider a set of draft rules that would streamline the process for forest landowners to appeal ODF district budgets or request a board hearing. The current administrative rules governing appeals of district budgets have proven unwieldy. ODF is seeking board approval to begin formal rulemaking to improve the appeals process. Board of Forestry priority issues - The board will assess its progress in addressing the priority work items it set out to accomplish in 2010 and 2011. The list includes work on: strategic planning, State Forests program and Private Forests program direction, wildfire risk management, and restructuring the ODF budget. BOARD TOUR NOV. 4 A tour briefing will be held at 9 a.m. at the Best Western Beachfront Inn, 16008 Boat Basin Rd., in Brookings. During the tour, information will be presented about ongoing efforts to eliminate Phytophthora ramorum (the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death) from Oregon and prevent its spread into and out of the state. Members of the public wishing to join the Board on the tour are asked to provide their own transportation and lunch. The tour will return to the Beachfront Inn at about 3 p.m. BOARD MEETING NOV. 5 The board meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the Best Western Beachfront Inn. 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.oregonforestry.gov. Background information on the Nov. 5 meeting agenda items is available through the "2010 Meeting Schedule" link on the website. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Oct 27 09:52:05 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:52:05 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forest Biomass Work Group meets November 3 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669BA0B75@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Forest Biomass Work Group meets November 3 in Salem October 27, 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 to talk about the role of Oregon's forests in providing energy production from wood. The Forest Biomass Work Group will meet on Wednesday November 3 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. Members of the public attending the meeting are encouraged to bring a lunch. The tentative agenda for the meeting includes presentations regarding renewable energy systems and reports from subgroups working on three issues: carbon neutrality of forest biomass, developing family wage jobs in Oregon from renewable energy and potential incentives for developing forest biomass energy facilities. 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 Thu Oct 28 13:36:45 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:36:45 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Message From Forestry Board Chair John Blackwell Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B669BA0D36@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: Oregon Board of Forestry chair John Blackwell provided this message to ODF staff earlier this week regarding the recruitment process for a new State Forester. Kevin Weeks ODF Agency Affairs (503) 945-7427 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Hello everyone - You have been working through difficult times, and I know that the Board of Forestry's decision last week to accept Marvin's resignation has added further challenge and uncertainty. Please know that each member of the Board has great respect for your dedication and professionalism, and full confidence in the ability of the agency and its leadership team to move forward successfully. The Department's reputation as an organization that gets the job done is built on years of dedication, professionalism and teamwork. Thank you for those qualities. Our decision last week does not reflect any concern about the department's efficiency or effectiveness. Although the decision did arise from concerns about relations with stakeholder groups at a policy-making level, we also recognize Marvin's contributions to the cause of sustainable forestry in Oregon. These include his leadership in acquisition of the Gilchrist State Forest, and his guidance during tough budget reductions. We on the Board also recognize our obligation to proceed in a way that provides as much continuity as possible for you and for our stakeholders. Next week, we'll release a draft of our plans for recruiting a new State Forester, and we will be considering these at our November 5 meeting in Brookings. Our hope is to have the new person on board early next year. The executive team will keep you updated on this work. Leadership changes are part of the process as large organizations continually search for the best way forward. Emotions and personal attachments are natural and important parts of the process as well, and we on the Board know that you are working through those together. Once again, on behalf of all of the Board members, thank you for your excellent work. We will continue to share information with you as the State Forester recruitment moves ahead. Sincerely, John Blackwell, Chair Board of Forestry -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Oct 29 07:09:10 2010 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 07:09:10 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Public comment period opens on Elliott State Forest management Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B66B10B027@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry NEWS RELEASE Public comment period opens Nov. 1 on Elliott State Forest management Proposed plan would take effect in January 2012 For immediate release / Major media distribution October 29, 2010 Contact: Kevin Weeks (ODF) 503-945-7427 Julie Curtis (DSL), 503-986-5298 The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) invite the public to submit written comments on the 2010 update of the long-range plan for managing the Elliott State Forest. The 93,000-acre, state-owned forest is located in the Coast Range between Coos Bay and Reedsport. Ninety-one percent (84,562 acres) of the forest is Common School Fund land, owned by the State Land Board. The board oversees management of the forest to provide timber revenue for K-12 schools using sound techniques of land management. The proposed forest management plan would replace the current plan adopted by the State Land Board and Board of Forestry in 1994, and go into effect on January 1, 2012, if a concurrent habitat conservation plan (HCP) process is not successful. An HCP is a plan prepared under the federal Endangered Species Act to minimize and mitigate for potential incidental take of threatened and endangered species while conducting otherwise lawful activities. In 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved an Elliott State Forest HCP, which included a 60-year Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the northern spotted owl and a six-year ITP for the marbled murrelet. The murrelet agreement expired in October 2001, and that expiration was the primary driver for revising the forest management plan and HCP. Since 2000, a multi-agency group of foresters and scientists has provided guidance to ODF and DSL on updating the 1994 forest management plan and 1995 HCP. After a decade of planning, the team has been unable to reach agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service on a revised Elliott HCP. In early 2010, the Land Board and Board of Forestry set December 31, 2011, as the deadline for completing approval of a revised multi-species HCP. If a new HCP is not approved by this date, the 1995 HCP will be terminated and a "take-avoidance" strategy will be implemented to protect threatened and endangered species within the Elliott State Forest. Forest management plans utilizing a take avoidance approach are currently being applied on all other state-owned forestland managed by the ODF. The 2010 draft plan uses ODF take-avoidance policies to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act, and has many similarities to the approach taken on other state-owned forestlands. The draft plan has a range of expected outcomes for three different forest stand types; designates portions of the forest as conservation areas; protects streams; and retains live trees, snags and downed wood to benefit wildlife over time in harvested areas. The Draft 2010 Elliott State Forest Management Plan is available on-line at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/elliott.shtml#Forest_Management_Plan (ODF Internal note -- Review documents will be posted to the website on October 29, 2010) Comments on the plan may be submitted by letter, email or fax to: Keith Baldwin, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310; kbaldwin at odf.state.or.us; fax: 503-945-7354. Written comments on the plan must be received by December 30, 2010. A second comment period with public hearing will run from May 1 through July 29, 2011. The Elliott became Oregon's first state forest when acquired in 1930. The State Land Board owns its common school lands, while the Oregon Department of Forestry manages the state forest through an agreement with the State Land Board and Department of State Lands. Timber harvest revenues, minus the cost of management, go to the Common School Fund to support the state's 197 K-12 public school districts. The Oregon Department of Forestry manages 848,000 acres of forests in Oregon for the environmental, social and economic benefit of Oregonians. Following are web links to additional information about the Elliott State Forest and the Oregon departments of State Lands and Forestry: Elliott State Forest Backgrounder www.oregonstatelands.us www.oregon.gov/ODF ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: