[ODF_Private_Forests] ODF and the Legislative Emergency Board

[WEEKS Kevin]

TO:   Oregon Department of Forestry staff, May 24, 2012

Good morning.

I wanted to share a quick update about some action by the Legislature's Emergency Board yesterday that gives us important flexibility in reaching our budget reduction goals for the current biennium, and is good news for the agency.

You may recall that last February, in order to keep the state budget in balance, the Legislature made a $28 million statewide reduction and gave agencies specific direction about how to implement those savings, including reducing managers and reducing spending in public affairs and related contracting. In the months since then, agencies have identified very specific reduction plans to meet those targets.

Yesterday, the Emergency Board met to review state agency reduction plans and make several adjustments. In our case, the Emergency Board agreed to retain two wildland fire supervisors and two unit foresters-positions that had been proposed for  elimination-and directed us to work with stakeholders and legislative staff on finding other ways  of achieving an equivalent reduction. We'll follow the direction from yesterday, and return in September to the Emergency Board with reduction options. In accordance with yesterday's direction, if we can't identify enough savings-through vacancies and other measures-without compromising our core missions in Fire Protection and Private Forests, then legislative staff will recommend that the withdrawn funds be restored.

The Emergency Board did, however, accept other parts of the reduction plan, including a permanent reduction of a vacant but much-needed position in our Public Affairs program.

All in all, yesterday's action allows us to move into fire season with crucial, on-the-ground resources in place. Some significant points:

 *   Although the $28 million in reductions are permanent in almost all cases across state government, the Emergency Board specified that the funds associated with the fire supervisors and unit foresters would again be part of our budget for the next biennium.
 *   We've been given increased flexibility to look broadly for ways to reduce spending that keep our most critical capacities intact.

In the broader state budget context, it's important to remember that we are still in challenging times, and that we must look for all opportunities to save-from the expenditures we make every day to our fundamental organizational structure. But yesterday's action does provide flexibility and some additional time to meet the Legislature's savings goals.

It was clear from legislators' comments during yesterday's meeting that our role is seen as vital, and that we are proceeding responsibly in carrying out our mission with reduced resources. That is a reflection of some very diligent work done by our stakeholders in making our case-and of the value of your work in communities across the state. For that, as always, I thank you.

We'll continue to update you as this process moves along.

With best wishes for a safe and restful holiday weekend,

____________________________________________
Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester
Director, Oregon Department of Forestry
Office: 503-945-7211
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street, Salem OR 97301

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