From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Sep 7 13:16:22 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 13:16:22 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State forester urges caution with fire during hot weather Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7A956F@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE State forester urges caution with fire during hot weather September 7, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 With wildfire danger at the highest levels of the summer and likely to rise further in the coming days, Oregon's state forester Wednesday urged Oregonians to use utmost care in preventing fires. "We have high heat, low humidity, and lightning in the forecast - a very dangerous combination," State Forester Doug Decker said. "We always hope people are careful with fire in the woods. But if there were ever a time for being extra vigilant, it is now." Fire danger is high or extreme across most of the state - in the drier eastern and interior southwestern regions, as well as in the Coast Range and the Willamette Valley. Lightning storms forecast for the end of the week could start many new fires, at a time when water-dropping helicopters and other firefighting resources are already stretched thin. "We can't prevent the fires that lightning leaves behind," Decker said. "But every fire caused by human carelessness pulls away resources that could otherwise be used against those lightning fires." In addition, human-caused fires are more likely to occur near communities, where they may threaten homes and other structures, making firefighting more complex and costly. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) provides fire protection on 16 million acres, mostly privately owned, but also including state-owned forests and contracted protection of U.S. Bureau of Land Management lands in western Oregon. With fire protection responsibility for about 52 percent of Oregon's forests, ODF is the state's largest fire department. About 95 percent of fires on ODF-protected lands are extinguished while still small. But just a few fires that grow large can cause great damage to natural resources, property and infrastructure, along with high suppression costs and disruption of travel, business and recreation. So far in the 2011 fire season, 75 percent of the fires ODF resources have responded to are human-caused. A cause of concern is also a sharp increase in the acreage of land affected by human-caused fires; in 2011 thus far, more than 1,400 acres of ODF-protected lands have burned in compared to 418 acres by this same time last year. Campfires, smoking, off-road driving and industrial activities such as logging are currently restricted on many ODF-protected lands. Abandoned campfires and driving vehicles in tall grass have been among the causes of fires in recent days. Where campfires are allowed, they must be fully extinguished - by soaking with water, stirring, and soaking again - when campers leave. Additional information about wildfire prevention is available from Keep Oregon Green, through the association's website at: www.keeporegongreen.org "This is about protecting life and property, and about being good stewards of Oregon's forests," Decker said. "We're asking for everyone's cooperation and care in the woods during this critical time." On the web: ODF Wildfire Blog - www.wildfireoregondeptofforestry.blogspot.com Oregon Department of Forestry - www.oregon.gov/ODF Current public use or industrial precaution information -- www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/precautionlevel.shtml Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Program (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Sep 13 13:19:09 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:19:09 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State forester seeks applicants for OFRI Board Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7A9C6E@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> OREGON FOREST RESOURCES INSTITUTE News Release September 13, 2011 -- For immediate release Contact: Dan Postrel, ODF - 503-945-7420 Paul Barnum, OFRI - 971-673-2954 State forester seeks applicants for OFRI Board SALEM, Ore. - Oregon State Forester Decker announced today he is soliciting applications from qualified persons interested in becoming a member of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute Board of Directors. OFRI is a state agency based in Portland dedicated to forestry education. According to Oregon statute, the state forester appoints 11 of OFRI's 13 board members. Two other members serve ex officio: the dean of the Oregon State University College of Forestry and a public representative appointed jointly by the president of the Oregon Senate and the speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. Appointed members serve three-year terms. Board representation includes small, medium and large forest products producers that pay a dedicated forest products harvest tax to support OFRI's programs, plus one member each representing small woodland owners and forest sector employees. Producer class specifications are as follows: * Class 1 - Producers of less than 20 million board feet per year * Class 2 - Producers of at least 20 million board feet per year, but less than 100 million board feet per year * Class 3 - Producers of at least 100 million board feet per year The small woodland owner representative must own between 100 and 2,000 acres of forestland and have no direct financial interest in any forest products processing activity. Three positions will reset Jan. 1, 2012. Jake Gibbs, a Class 2 member with Lone Rock Timber Company, has served two terms and will leave the board. Wade Mosby, a Class 1 member with The Collins Companies, and Steve Zika, a Class 3 member with Hampton Affiliates, are concluding their first terms. Both are eligible for reappointment. Persons interested in being nominated for positions on the OFRI board either now or sometime in the future should contact Dan Postrel at the Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or by e-mail at dpostrel at odf.state.or.us. Completed applications for the current board opening must be postmarked by Oct. 5, 2011. To learn more about OFRI and its work, visit OFRI online at oregonforests.org. # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Sep 15 11:27:57 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:27:57 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Executive Team Transition update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7AA008@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> State Forester Doug Decker provided this update on transitions in the ODF Executive Team to ODF staff today. Kevin Weeks Oregon Department of Forestry From: DECKER Doug S Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 11:01 AM Subject: Resource Planning Director | Exec Team Transition Dates Good morning - I have more news to report as we complete the restructuring of our Executive Team: First, I'm pleased to let you know that Kevin Birch is our new Resource Planning Program Director, filling the position left vacant by David Morman's retirement. Kevin joined ODF and the Resource Planning Program in 1990. He has rich experience with some of Oregon's most important forestry challenges, including management of federal lands, and land use trends on private forestlands. He also has worked at the state and national levels to apply sustainability concepts to forest planning and management. I look at Resource Planning as our agency's think tank, where we scout emerging issues, produce harvest forecasts and other essential data, and assist the agency and the Board of Forestry in strategic planning and priority-setting. The program has earned a reputation among policy makers, researchers and others as a valuable source of forestry expertise and vision. As Governor Kitzhaber has begun to formulate strategy for engaging with federal forest issues, for instance, he has looked to us, and to Kevin and his shop, for assistance. In the past, the Resource Planning Program Director has reported to one of our division chiefs. In recognition of this program's role, particularly with strategic planning, the position now is part of our executive team, reporting to me. I also have some follow-up news about the timing of the other transitions that are occurring on the executive team. We have been making these changes gradually to ensure continuity in our businesses (particularly fire), and are nearing dates when team members will take on their duties officially and full time. For Mike Bordelon, the new State Forests Division Chief, that date is September 26. Andy White is serving as acting Northwest Oregon Area Director, the position that Mike is leaving, pending recruitment for a permanent replacement. Nancy Hirsch will officially assume her duties as the new Fire Protection Division Chief on October 3. Also on that date, Paul Bell will begin to devote his attention full time to his position as Deputy State Forester, with direct supervision of the three area directors, the chiefs of our Fire, State Forests and Private Forests divisions, and the director of our Partnership Development Program. These are exciting developments for our agency. We're putting in place an executive structure that will serve us well, and a group of leaders who will do all they can to support your great work on behalf of Oregonians and our forests. Thanks again for that work, and stay safe out there as we move toward the close of the 2011 fire season. Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester Director, Oregon Department of Forestry Office: 503-945-7211 Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State Street, Salem OR 97301 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Sep 19 11:55:22 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:55:22 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Sisters High School Biomass Heat Tour Oct 17 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7AA39B@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> This information is forwarded on behalf of the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council. For additional information about this event, please contact COIC. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427 From: Phil Chang Sent: Friday, September 16, 2011 4:16 PM Subject: Sisters High School Biomass Heat Tour, 10/17, 2 to 4:30 pm Come learn how using biomass as heating fuel in large public buildings can help save money, restore local forests, create jobs, and increase our energy independence! The second of four tours showcasing biomass heat installations around the state will be held at the Sisters High School in Sisters, Oregon on October 17, from 2 to 4:30 pm. Governor Kitzhaber plans to join us to celebrate the project and the benefits it will provide to the school, community, and state! These tours offer the opportunity to * Learn about the renewable energy that costs LESS than non-renewable fossil fuel * See the latest biomass heat installations up close and personal * Meet local champions who built new renewable energy infrastructure in tough economic times * Find out how "heating local" can help restore our forests Here are the details: WHAT: A community tour of the new biomass heat system at the Sisters High School WHEN: October 17, 2011 from 2 to 4:30 pm WHERE: Sisters High School, 1700 West Mckinney Butte Road, Sisters, OR WHY: To learn about biomass heat, energy savings, connections to local forests, and energy independence RSVP and More Information: www.sustainablenorthwest.org This event is a partnership between Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, East Fork Consulting, Sustainable Northwest, and the Oregon Department of Energy, with generous funding from USDA Rural Development and Oregon's biomass thermal industry. Stay tuned for details about additional community tours at Oakridge Elementary School and the Estacada District Office later this fall! We look forward to sharing these exciting projects with you. Please share this announcement with other who may be interested and contact me if you have any questions. Phil Chang Program Administrator Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council PLEASE NOTE: New Address Effective June 24, 2011 334 NE Hawthorne Avenue Bend, OR 97701 (541) 548-9534 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Sep 19 11:56:23 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:56:23 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets September 27, welcomes forest industry member Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7AA39D@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands meets September 27, welcomes forest industry member September 19, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs, (503) 945-7427 The Committee for Family Forestlands is scheduled to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday September 27, 2011 at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street - Tillamook meeting room in ODF's administration building. The Committee provides information to the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester on ways to improve the vitality of Oregon's family forestlands. The agenda for the meeting is under development. Scott Gray has been named to serve as a forest industry representative to the Committee. The Oregon Board of Forestry approved Gray's nomination to the advisory group at the Board's September 7 meeting in Lakeview. Gray serves as Timberlands Manager for Stimson Lumber Company, overseeing all aspects of forest management and timber production on Stimson's approximately 175,000 acres in Northwest Oregon. Stimson timberlands are certified sustainable under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program and Gray is the current chair of the Oregon SFI Implementation Committee. Gray graduated from Humboldt State University in northern California with a B.S. in Forestry and a Masters degree in Business Administration. He began his forestry career working for consulting firms in California and later for Stimson in both California and Oregon, the state he has resided in for ten years. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the September 27 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. Committee members serve three-year appointments. There are seven voting members, including four family forestland owners, one forest industry representative, one environmental community representative and one citizen-at-large. The Committee has six ex-officio members representing Oregon State University, the State Forester, Oregon Forest Resources Institute, public land managers, forestry interest or consulting groups, and Oregon Small Woodlands Association. 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 Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Program (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Sep 20 09:12:12 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:12:12 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets September 29 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7FB06A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee meets September 29 in Salem September 20, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Oregon's State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee will meet on Thursday September 29, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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 is scheduled to include the evaluation, discussion and priority ranking of Oregon's Forest Legacy Program projects under consideration to receive federal FY 2013 funding in the national Forest Legacy Program. Discussion about the national Forest Stewardship Program is planned, also information about Oregon's Forest Biodiversity Explorer will be presented. Public comments are scheduled to be heard at 10:00 a.m. 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 State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee - consisting of representatives from state and federal natural resource agencies, private forest landowners, consulting foresters, forest industry and conservation organizations - advises the State Forester on policies and procedures for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service - State and Private Forestry Programs such as Forest Legacy and Forest Stewardship. The State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee also serves as the forestry subcommittee to the Oregon Technical Advisory Committee (OTAC), advising both the USDA Farm Services Agency and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service on federal farm and forestry assistance programs. In 2010, the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee provided oversight of ODF's development of the 2010 Oregon Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy. Additional information about the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee is available on ODF's web site at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/RESOURCE_PLANNING/sfscc.shtml and information about the Forest Legacy Program is available at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/privateforests/forestlegacy.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Sep 20 15:08:48 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:08:48 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] NW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets October 5 in Forest Grove Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7FB179@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE NW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets October 5 in Forest Grove September 20, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs, (503) 945-7427 The NW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee has scheduled its next meeting for Wednesday October 5 at the Oregon Department of Forestry's Forest Grove District office, 801 Gales Creek Road in the Tualatin Room. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a public comment period scheduled at approximately 9:30 a.m. Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens - mandated under Oregon law - that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern regions of the state, were created within the Oregon Forest Practices Act in 1971. Under Oregon law, a majority of Regional Forest Practices Committees members are private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies. The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include: * Orientation session for new Committee members (training scheduled for 9:00-9:30 a.m. portion of meeting agenda) * NW Oregon Committee chair selection * Update on the evaluation of services and rebuilding capacity within the ODF Private Forests program * Update on ODF Private Forests program assignments in Oregon Board of Forestry work items * Discussion of the rulemaking process to implement 2011 House Bill 2165 * Scheduling future meeting for the Committee Members of the public may attend 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. 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 ODF's Regional Forest Practices Committees is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry's web site: www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.shtml ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Sep 22 06:59:01 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:59:01 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Central and Eastern Oregon fire information booths for hunters Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7FB38D@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> September 21, 2011 Contact: Kevin Benton, Oregon Department of Forestry, Prineville 541-447-5658 Echo Murray, Walker Range Fire Patrol Association 541-433-2451 Kiel Nairns, Oregon Department of Forestry, The Dalles 541-296-4626 Dave Fields, Office of State Fire Marshal Regional Supervisor 541-419-1844 Angie Johnson, Oregon Department of Forestry, John Day 541-575-1139 Hunter Information Booths Open Next Week Central Oregon~ Hunter Information Booths will be opening across central Oregon Wednesday September 28th and some staffed through Friday September 30th. Hunter booths are available for the public to get current fire restriction information on open fires, driving off road, chainsaw use, smoking in the forest, and more; road closure information as well as map sales, free gun locks, and coffee will also be available at most locations. Early fall is the most dynamic time of year for fire danger. Cold nights alone do not provide added moisture and hot afternoons continue to dry out vegetation. The message to hunters and recreationists is to call ahead to the area you are visiting and find out the current fire use restrictions; they quickly change and vary from place to place. . Fire restriction / fire use information can be found at the following locations: Private lands in the Central Oregon area - The Oregon Department of Forestry: Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties - Prineville Unit 541-447-5658 Gilliam, Morrow, Hood River, and Wasco counties - The Dalles Unit 541-296-4626 Wheeler, Grant, and Harney counties - John Day Unit 541-575-1139 http://oregon.gov/ODF/FIELD/COD/aboutus.shtml Public lands - USDA Forest Service Deschutes National Forest 541-383-5300 Ochoco National Forest 541-416-6500 Malheur National Forest 541-575-1321 http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire/ Public lands - USDI Bureau of Land Management Prineville District 541-416-6700 http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire/ Hunter Booth Locations: * John Day - at Oregon Department of Forestry, 415 Patterson Bridge Road (off of Hwy 26, turn at Shell Station - Look for sandwich board sign) Thursday 09/29/11 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday 09/30/11 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. * Prineville - at Ray's on the east side of Prineville off Highway 26 Wednesday 09/28/11 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Thursday 09/29/11 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday 09/30/11 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. * La Pine - at Ray's on Hwy 97 in La Pine Thursday 09/29/11 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Friday 09/30/11 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.. * Highway 58 - On Highway 58 between mile posts 72 and 73 Thursday 09/29/11 8:00 a.m. - dark Friday 09/30/11 8:00 a.m. - dark ? Memaloose Rest Area Thursday 09/29/11 6:00am -5:30pm Friday 09/30/11 6:00am -5:30pm ? Dodson Road Thursday 09/29/11 9:00am -6:00pm Friday 09/30/11 9:00am -6:00pm The hunter booths are brought to you by the Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative, the Klamath County Fire Prevention Cooperative, Grant-Harney Fire Prevention Cooperative and the Mid-Columbia Fire Prevention Cooperative. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Sep 28 06:33:41 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:33:41 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets October 11 in Prineville Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7FBB30@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets October 11 in Prineville September 27, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs, (503) 945-7427 The Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday October 11 at the Crook County Fire Department, 500 NE Belknap Street in Prineville. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a public comment period scheduled near the start of the meeting. Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens - mandated under Oregon law - that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern regions of the state, were created within the Oregon Forest Practices Act in 1971. Under Oregon law, a majority of Regional Forest Practices Committees members are private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies. The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include: * Eastern Oregon Committee chair selection * Update on the evaluation of services and rebuilding capacity within the ODF Private Forests program * Update on ODF Private Forests program assignments in Oregon Board of Forestry work items * Discussion of the rulemaking process to implement 2011 House Bill 2165 * Scheduling future meeting for the Committee Members of the public may attend 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. 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 ODF's Regional Forest Practices Committees is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry's web site: www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Sep 28 06:34:44 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:34:44 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Firewood permits available soon from ODF Astoria District Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7FBB31@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Firewood permits available soon from the Dept. of Forestry's Astoria District For immediate release Local media distribution Sept. 27, 2011 Contact: Ty Williams 503-325-5451, twilliams at odf.state.or.us With reduced fire danger in the local forests, firewood permits will soon go on sale at the Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) Astoria District office. One of the most popular recreational activities on the Astoria District isn't usually thought of as recreation. Every year people go to the forest to harvest their year's supply of firewood. Firewood cutting is in high demand on the Clatsop State Forest. During 2010, the Astoria District issued 1,186 permits, which equates to 2,372 cords of firewood. This is an increase from previous years and likely stems from the current economic downturn, since firewood is a cost-effective way to heat homes in the winter. With the increased demand comes higher administrative expense. Citing these rising costs, the Oregon Department of Forestry announced an increase in the firewood cutting permit to $20 for two cords of wood. Assistant District forester Ron Zilli said the existing fee of $10 was established more than 20 years ago and does not cover the costs of administering the firewood program. "Since that time, the cost of providing firewood, which includes sorting it on the log landing, issuing and administering the permits, and providing law enforcement, has risen to well in excess of $10," he said. The forester noted that the new fee of $20, effective October 10, will partially offset ODF's expenses to administer the firewood program. The department provides firewood from the by-products of forest harvesting activities as a benefit to local community members. Charging $20 brings ODF into alignment with the rate set by other public land management agencies, he said. Zilli also noted that in addition to forest products, ODF also manages the state forest for wildlife habitat that includes snags and downed wood. "So please follow your permit as to where and what to cut," he said. Firewood cutting permits for the Clatsop State Forest are available from the Department of Forestry's Astoria District office, 92219 Highway 202, in Astoria. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Sep 28 08:21:06 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:21:06 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Southern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets October 12 in Roseburg Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7FBB56@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Southern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets October 12 in Roseburg September 28, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs, (503) 945-7427 The Southern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday October 12 at the Sleep Inn and Suites, 2855 Edenbower Boulevard in Roseburg. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a public comment period scheduled near the start of the meeting. Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens - mandated under Oregon law - that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern regions of the state, were created within the Oregon Forest Practices Act in 1971. Under Oregon law, a majority of Regional Forest Practices Committees members are private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies. The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include: * Southern Oregon Committee chair selection * Update on the evaluation of services and rebuilding capacity within the ODF Private Forests program * Update on ODF Private Forests program assignments in Oregon Board of Forestry work items * Discussion of the rulemaking process to implement 2011 House Bill 2165 * Scheduling future meeting for the Committee Members of the public may attend 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. 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 ODF's Regional Forest Practices Committees is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry's web site: www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Sep 28 14:02:47 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:02:47 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Dry conditions on season opener mean fire caution for hunters Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF7FBC51@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. Dry conditions on season opener mean fire caution for hunters For immediate release Major media distribution September 28, 2011 Contact: Rod Nichols 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us For the Oct. 1 general big game season opener, predicted dry conditions in most forested areas of Oregon underscore the need for hunters to be fire safety conscious. Even though fall is in the air, careless actions can still spark a wildfire. Parched grasses, brush and other fine fuels can ignite from a variety of sources - an errant spark from a campfire or warming fire, a discarded cigarette, or a hot exhaust system contacting vegetation. And under fall conditions, these fire starts often don't become apparent until hours or even days later. A warming fire built on a hillside in the early morning hours to take the chill off may appear to be out when the hunter eventually moves on. But the ashes can retain heat. On the next sunny day, a little wind can rekindle that "dead" fire and cause it to spread into a wildfire. The safest place for a campfire is in a campground with established fire pits. Before leaving a campfire or warming fire, be sure to douse it repeatedly with water, stirring the ashes each time to ensure it is completely extinguished. When driving a full-sized vehicle or ATV in the forest, always carry fire equipment required by the jurisdictional land management agency. And before heading to your hunting location, check the current rules on vehicle use. In some areas, off-road use of motorized vehicles may be prohibited. Likewise with smoking: Check the rules. Depending on the fire danger level, smoking may be restricted to inside a closed vehicle or building. In any case, never discard smoking materials in grass or other vegetation. The good news for hunters is that the dry conditions are forecast to change Sunday evening with the onset of rain in many areas. For additional fire safety tips and current fire restrictions, contact the Oregon Department of Forestry or the Keep Oregon Green Association. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Sep 30 12:36:28 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:36:28 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] New Sudden Oak Death site found in Curry County Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601FF853233@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Department(s) of Agriculture and Forestry issued this news announcement today-- September 30, 2011 Contact: Alan Kanaskie, Oregon Dept. of Forestry (503) 945-7397 Dan Hilburn, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (503) 986-4663 New Sudden Oak Death site found in Curry County State officials announced that a new site with trees infected by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum - also known as Sudden Oak Death - has been discovered in Curry County. The new infection site is over six miles north of a quarantine boundary established by state and federal officials to stop the spread of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) infection outside of southwest Oregon. Two tanoak trees infected with Phytophthora ramorum were noted by Oregon Department of Forestry insect and disease specialists through aerial detection in Cape Sebastian State Park, about 20 miles north of Brookings. Follow-up survey work on the ground confirmed the diagnosis. Other tanoak trees in immediate vicinity also showed browning of the lower tree crown, which can be an early symptom of Sudden Oak Death. As required by State law, the Cape Sebastian State Park infection site and a three mile buffer zone are now included in the Sudden Oak Death quarantine area. Plants species susceptible to P. ramorum and soil associated with the infected trees cannot be moved out of the area, unless heat treated to required specifications. Because the site is outside of the existing quarantine boundary, the State is moving as quickly as possible to treat the site to minimize the risk of spread of the pathogen. State officials are unsure at this point how the pathogen travelled outside the SOD quarantine area established three years ago to contain the spread. "Additional investigation is needed to determine how this new area - which is over 12 miles from the nearest known infected tree - acquired the pathogen," said Alan Kanaskie, forest pathologist with the Oregon Department of Forestry. "Once we have determined the extent of the infestation, we will develop a treatment plan and move quickly to complete the work before the onset of autumn rains in the region." SOD can kill highly susceptible tree species such as tanoak, coast live oak, and California black oak by causing lesions on the main stem. Tanoak is by far the most susceptible species in Oregon, and the disease seriously threatens the future of this species. The pathogen also causes leaf blight or dieback on many other host plants including rhododendron, evergreen huckleberry and Oregon myrtle. Oregon's iconic Douglas fir also can be infected by the pathogen but it is not seriously damaged. Early detection of SOD is achieved through a combination of aerial survey, follow-up ground visits and monitoring the presence of the SOD pathogen in streams. These efforts are critical to ongoing attempts to slow spread of the pathogen in Oregon. Between 2001 and the end of 2009, eradication treatments were completed on approximately 2,900 acres of forest at an estimated cost of $5 million. Despite this effort, SOD continues to slowly expand in Curry County -- from 2007 to 2009 approximately 60 new infested sites were found each of the two years. In 2010, 83 new sites were found, and thus far in 2011 more than 100 new Sudden Oak Death sites have been found. SOD experts presume the increased spread of the disease is due to consecutive years of weather favorable for disease spread, slow development of recognizable symptoms, and delays in treatment application associated with detection and resource constraints. In 2008, a 162-square-mile quarantine zone for SOD was established in southern Curry County. The quarantine restriction prohibits nursery products, wood products or specialty forest products grown in areas known to contain SOD pathogens from being exported outside the quarantine zone unless specific disease-prevention protocols are followed. The federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture have programs in place with forest and plant producers in Curry County to ensure these products can continue to be processed and certified as pathogen-free for sale outside Curry County. The quarantine area and rules were revised in 2011. Sudden Oak Death is a relatively new plant disease in Oregon. It was first discovered in July 2001 at five sites on the southern coast near Brookings, although aerial photos of the area indicate that the pathogen may have been present at one site since about 1997 or 1998. Outside of Oregon, SOD is known to occur only in forests in 14 California counties and in several European countries. The origin of the pathogen is unknown. There are several ways to help prevent the spread of SOD. * Buy only certified plant stock from a licensed nursery. * If traveling in areas with known SOD infestations, clean shoes, vehicles, and pets' feet when leaving the area. * Do not gather any plant materials in SOD-infested areas. * Do not move firewood from an infested area. * If you suspect a plant may be infected with SOD on your property, call 1 (800) INVADER. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: