From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Jul 2 09:14:12 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2012 09:14:12 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Regional Forest Practices Committees meet July 17 in Springfield Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B447CDDE0@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Department of Forestry issued this news release today -- Regional Forest Practices Committees meet July 17 in Springfield July 2, 2012 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 The NW Oregon and SW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees (RFPC) have announced a joint meeting of the two groups for July 17 in Springfield. 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 joint meeting of the Northwest/Southwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17 at the USFS Willamette National Forest offices, 3106 Pierce Parkway -- Room 145 in Springfield. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with a public comment period scheduled near the start of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include: * Reports on the Restoration Plan for the Private Forests Program, including updates on two components mandated by the Oregon Legislature -- establishment of a compliance audit program regarding Forest Practices Act standards, and establishing a program to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the Forest Practices Act. The program's Fiscal Year 2013 budget will be discussed. * Reports on the Board of Forestry's direction to begin an evaluation of riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams, including presentation of concepts the Board will review at its July 26 Board meeting. * A report on the ODF project to implement 2011 House Bill 2165, which includes changes to written plan requirements, including discussion of the rulemaking process, public and industry input and development of rule concepts. * A demonstration of the Vantage web-based mapping system for forestry data developed to assist ODF. 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 503-945-7502. Security Note - this meeting is held at a secure federal facility. Please check in with the security station at the building's main western entrance. 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 Mon Jul 9 14:52:36 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2012 14:52:36 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Log exports boost 2011 Oregon timber harvest In-Reply-To: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44838816@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> References: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44838816@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44838843@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Department of Forestry issued the following news release today. Log exports boost 2011 Oregon timber harvest FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Distribution: Major Media July 9, 2012 12-39 Contact: Brandon Kaetzel, 503-945-7413, or bkaetzel at odf.state.or.us, or Jeri Chase, 503-945-7201, or jchase at odf.state.or.us For the second consecutive year, Oregon's timber harvest levels increased. Harvests, at a low of 2.75 billion board feet in 2009 after the 2008 collapse of the domestic housing market, posted a gain in 2010, and a similar increase was experienced in 2011. The 2011 harvest of 3.65 billion board feet was up 32 percent from the 2009 low and up 13 percent from 2010. "Much of these gains can be attributed to an active export market to Eastern Asia, especially China," said Brandon Kaetzel, the Oregon Department of Forestry's principal forest economist. "The U.S. housing market's slow recovery and other domestic markets are also driving demand for Oregon wood products." Approximately 49 percent, or 30.2 million acres, of Oregon is forested. Federal forestlands account for 60 percent of these forestlands, industrial forestlands for 19 percent, family forestland owners own 15 percent, state-owned forests comprise 3 percent, and all other forestland owners (counties, Tribal, etc.), 3 percent. Timber harvests from 2010 to 2011 increased on U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands in Oregon by 24 and 47 percent, respectively. The Forest Service had the largest increase, up 120 million board feet, for a 2011 total harvest of 374 million board feet - the highest total for Forest Service lands since 1997. Likewise, 165 million board feet were harvested on Bureau of Land Management lands, the largest total since 1996. Even with these increases, 2011 federal timber harvests are only 10 percent of the 25-year high in 1988, when 4.93 billion board feet was harvested. Other public forestlands (e.g., county lands) posted a 38 percent increase, for a total of 44 million board feet harvested in 2011. Harvests increased over 2010 levels on all public lands except for State forestlands, where there was a decrease of six percent, for a 2011 total of 280 million board feet; however, this harvest level is slightly above the five-year average of 273 million board feet from these lands. Forest industry accounted for nearly 67 percent of Oregon's total timber harvest in 2011, with 2.46 billion board feet, an 11 percent increase from 2010. Family forestland owners accounted for 278 million board feet in 2011, an increase of 22 percent over 2010. Finally, timber harvests decreased from 2010 on Oregon's Native American Tribal forestlands by 34 percent, for a 2011 harvest total of 52 million board feet. The 2011 western Oregon timber harvest from all ownerships increased 14 percent from 2010, to 3.2 billion board feet. Harvests increased in eastern Oregon by1.6 percent to 406.66 million board feet. Lane County held on to the western Oregon title for most productive county, with a total of 529.55 million board feet harvested in 2011. In eastern Oregon, Klamath County had the most timber harvested, with a total of 106.72 million board feet. "While log exports remain strong, they have begun to taper off," said Kaetzel. "I expect that lumber exports, along with increased domestic demand, will continue to drive timber harvests in Oregon." The 2011 report, as well as previous years' annual reports, is available on the department's website at www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/FRP/annual_Reports.shtml. For more information, please contact Brandon Kaetzel, Principal Forest Economist, at 503-945-7413, or bkaetzel at odf.state.or.us. ***** NOTE: One board foot of lumber is one foot wide, one foot long, and one inch thick, or the equivalent in volume. Construction of a 1,800 square-foot house requires approximately 10,000 board feet. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Jul 16 13:50:59 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:50:59 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board to meet 7-26 in Tillamook, tour state forest 7-27 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B448391B1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Forestry Board to meet July 26 in Tillamook, tour state forest July 27 July 16, 2012 Major media distribution Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420, dpostrel at odf.state.or.us The Oregon Board of Forestry will discuss future management approaches for state-owned forests, hear a wildfire season forecast, and review a concept for a new Coast Range recreation corridor when it meets in Tillamook on July 26. The board will tour the Tillamook State Forest on July 27. Among State Forest-related items on the July 26 agenda, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will recommend that the board more clearly label areas designated for conservation purposes under current forest management plans. This conservation-area visibility item is part of the board's ongoing improvement of its management plans. The board and staff will also review recommendations and continuing work on other aspects of State Forest management, including: * The long-term financial viability of the State Forest management program, which is funded primarily through a share of timber sale revenues. * A pathway for exploring alternatives to current management strategies. An approach under consideration would allocate certain areas primarily for timber production, and others for management with a conservation emphasis. * Improvements to the performance measures the board uses to gauge success in managing the forests to provide a broad range of values to Oregonians. The management discussions involve the 615,000 acres of Northwest Oregon forest that are state-owned, about 2.5 percent of Oregon's forest landbase. The Tillamook and Clatsop state forests are the most prominent of these lands. Wildfire season update Staff from ODF's Fire Protection program will provide a status update and outlook on the 2012 wildfire season and ongoing interagency coordination. ODF works closely with forest landowners and with public agencies to provide fire protection on about 16 million acres of private and public forests, about half of Oregon's forested lands. Riparian protection rule analysis Private Forests Program staff will present the results of rule analysis work regarding stream protection standards on small- and medium-sized fish-bearing streams. The board will be asked to make findings as to whether an appropriate range of initial alternatives is being considered, including non-regulatory approaches. "Rails and Trails" project update The board will receive an update on a cooperative effort to determine the feasibility of developing a recreation corridor along a historic rail line in the northern Coast Range's Salmonberry River canyon. The corridor could potentially extend from Banks to Tillamook. A steering committee, with representatives of local and state organizations and government agencies, views the project as a way to contribute to local economic revitalization through increased tourism. Public comment The meeting is open to the public. During a general comment period at the beginning, public comment will be received on forestry-related items that are not included in the agenda. Time will also be provided for comment on specific agenda items as the board takes them up. Meeting time and location The board meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry Tillamook District office, 5005 Third St., in Tillamook. Community social The board will host a social gathering from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 at Koko's Restaurant at Alderbrook Golf Course, 7300 Alderbrook Road, in Tillamook. Tour time and location The board field tour of the Tillamook State Forest will begin at 8 a.m. on July 27 with a briefing at the Tillamook District office. The tour will return to the office around 4:30 p.m. Members of the public wishing to join the tour are asked to provide their own lunch and transportation. To learn more More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregonforestry.gov. Background information on the July 26 meeting, including staff reports, is available through the 2012 "Meeting Schedules" link on the website. Special needs Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance can be arranged by calling the department's Public Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting, 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Jul 17 12:42:04 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:42:04 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Smoke mgmt committee meets 7-24, Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B448393FE@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. Smoke management committee meets July 24, Salem July 17, 2012 Major media distribution Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us The Smoke Management Review committee will discuss several topics concerning prescribed forest burning when it meets on Thursday, July 24, in Salem. Highlight topics slated for discussion include: ? Prescribed burning fees ? Process for designation of smoke-sensitive receptor areas ? Deadline for submission of burn plans ? Emission reduction techniques and alternatives to burning ? Special Protection Zones The committee includes representatives of the public, federal agencies, the forest industry, air quality regulators and small woodland owners. The members are knowledgeable about smoke management issues and Oregon's Smoke Management plan. The Oregon departments of Environmental Quality and Forestry provide staff support to the committee. Public comment periods have been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. After timber harvest, forest landowners may reduce the risk of wildfire through controlled or "prescribed" burning of unmarketable tree residue commonly known as slash. This removes potential fuel for a wildfire. It also prepares the logged site for replanting by releasing nutrients and removing vegetation that would otherwise compete with the young trees. Department of Forestry meteorologists monitor weather conditions throughout spring and fall as they coordinate hundreds of burning requests from private and public forest landowners. This oversight helps minimize smoke intrusions into communities. Management of forest fuels through prescribed burning greatly reduces the risk of large wildfires that can pump thousands of tons of carbon into the atmosphere. More information on the Smoke Management plan can be found on the web, www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml#Smoke_Management_Information The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the Old Board Room of Building B (State Forester's Office) at Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, 2600 State St., in Salem. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance may be arranged by calling the department's Public Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting, 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Jul 26 15:38:11 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:38:11 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board seeks to highlight conservation areas in state-owned forests Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4488C334@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Department of Forestry issued this news release today-- Forestry Board seeks to highlight conservation areas in state-owned forests July 26, 2012 Major media distribution Contacts: Dan Postrel, (503) 881-3453, dpostrel at odf.state.or.us Kevin Weeks, (503) 689-6879, kweeks at odf.state.or.us TILLAMOOK - The state Board of Forestry moved Thursday to more explicitly indicate which portions of state-owned forests are managed with an emphasis on fish and wildlife habitat, mature forest conditions and other conservation values. "State law requires that we manage these lands to produce a full range of benefits," said board Chair John Blackwell of Portland. "That includes timber harvest, recreation, and habitat for a diversity of fish and wildlife. We should be able to clearly indicate to Oregonians those places on the landscape where conservation values are the top management priority." On Thursday, the board set in motion changes intended clarify the language used to describe conservation-emphasis lands across forests under board jurisdiction. State Forester Doug Decker said the board is beginning a fresh look at all aspects of its forest management, seeking to more effectively achieve a range of environmental, economic and social goals. "Increasing the visibility of current conservation-emphasis areas-and highlighting the vision for these areas within a broader forest management context-is an important first step," he said. Land classification language is embedded in state administrative rules. Current language labels conservation-emphasis lands according to specific attributes, such as wildlife forage or fish habitat, or designates lands where timber harvest would be impractical or would put natural resources at risk due to steep slopes, rocky soils or other characteristics. The board agreed Thursday to group the variety of conservation priority areas under a classification called "high value conservation areas." The board also discussed ways of making land classification decisions, now made by Department of Forestry staff with public input and board policy guidance, more durable, such as by elevating some or all decisions to the board level. However, board members agreed to fold this topic into the coming, broader review of the management of Board of Forestry lands. Department staff are scheduled to consult with interested parties and return to the board in November with proposed rule language that would more clearly highlight conservation-emphasis areas. With the board's approval or modification, the staff would then begin a formal rule-change process, including public comment, and would bring recommended new language to the board in July 2013. The change would apply to all Board of Forestry lands-the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam state forests in northwestern Oregon, the Gilchrist and Sun Pass state forests east of the Cascades, and scattered small parcels throughout Oregon. The management plan for the Elliott State Forest near Coos Bay already includes designated conservation areas as one strategy to achieve overall plan objectives. Most of the Elliott is under jurisdiction of the State Land Board, made up of the governor, state treasurer and secretary of state. An agreement is in place under which the Department of Forestry provides management. State-owned forests cover more than 820,000 acres, about 2.7 percent of Oregon's forest land base. Net revenue from timber sales helps to support county government, schools and other local public services. Among other agenda items Thursday, the board heard an update on a cooperative effort to weigh the feasibility of developing a recreation corridor along a historic rail line in the Northern Coast Range's Salmonberry River canyon, north of Tillamook. The department has joined the state Parks and Recreation Department, Cycle Oregon, the Port of Tillamook Bay and others to conduct the feasibility study. "Although we're very early in the process, this corridor is clearly of immense value to our state," Blackwell said. "There's potential of many kinds, including economic revitalization for this part of the north coast, and helping to reconnect Oregonians with their forests." Port President Bill Baertlein said a bike, pedestrian and horse trail adjoining the rail line, linking up with the existing Banks-Vernonia trail and with routes that could reach the Portland area, would enhance livability and help recruit new businesses to local communities and the port. With will and foresight, Baertlein said, transformation of the Salmonberry River corridor could "make Tillamook County a world-wide destination for bicyclists." ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: