[ODF_Private_Forests] Draft Stewardship Agreement open for public comment

[WEEKS Kevin]

The Oregon Department of Forestry opened a 21-day public comment period on a draft Stewardship Agreement today - Additional information about the draft Stewardship Agreement is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry website: www.oregon.gov/ODF/newsroom/newsreleases/2011/NR1168.shtml<http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/newsroom/newsreleases/2011/NR1168.shtml>



OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS



PROPOSED STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT FOR CHRISTIAN FUTURES, INC. PROPERTY



DOUGLAS COUNTY, OREGON



Published in the Roseburg News-Review

PUBLISHING DATE: October 17, 2011



COMMENTS DUE: November 7, 2011 by 5:00 p.m.



PROJECT LOCATION:  Smith River West Tract, 9.5 miles northeast of Reedsport



PROPOSAL: Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 527.423, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is proposing to adopt a Stewardship Agreement for the Christian Futures, Inc. Smith River West Tract 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 Christian Futures, Inc. to operate an 80-acre forest tract under habitat conservation goals identified in the landowner's forest management plan. This Stewardship Agreement provides the opportunity for the landowner 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 landowner 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 7, 2011 and sent to Paul Clements, ODF Western Lane District at the address provided above.



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.



/s/ Peter Daugherty, Chief of ODF Private Forests Division

Salem, Oregon


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Kevin Weeks

Public Information Officer

Oregon Department of Forestry

Public Affairs Office

(503) 945-7427

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