From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Nov 20 08:47:06 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:47:06 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Tree Farmer of the Year" awarded in Portland Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44BC3AF2@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Department of Forestry issued this news release Monday. Major Media Distribution Nov. 19, 2012 News Contact: Cynthia Orlando 503-945-7421 Mike Barsotti (503) 510-6069 Influential Oregon family forest landowners earn "Tree Farmer of the Year" title for 2012 Bill and Joan Arsenault of Elkton, OR., were selected Oregon's Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year for 2012 at Oregon Tree Farm System's Annual Awards Luncheon at Portland's World Forestry Center today. The Arsenault's own and manage 277-acres of forested property in the Elkton area of Southern Oregon. In addition to regular pre-commercial and commercial thinnings for stand improvement, reforestation with Douglas-fir and interplanting as-needed, the Arsenault's work to control invasive species like blackberry and scotch broom on the property, maintain roads for fire suppression access, and provide for numerous public and educational tours. Tireless advocates with prior honors Bill and Joan Arsenault have previously been named Douglas County Tree Farmer of the Year three times (1989, 1995 and 2011). Over the years the Arsenault's have hosted many tours at their Paradise Creek Ranch property for groups including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Board of Forestry's Committee for Family Forestlands, and a watershed group interested in their stream enhancement work. "Bill Arsenault has been a strong and influential voice for the stewardship of forestlands in Douglas County and Oregon," said nominating forester Rick Barnes, a member of Oregon's Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Selection Committee. "He's been a tireless advocate for bringing science to bear on the Forest Practice Act rules. He's also been an outstanding voice for family forestland owners, one of the most influential and articulate family forest landowners in the state of Oregon," adds Barnes. The Arsenaults have been zealous supporters of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. They've also made their Paradise Creek Ranch property available to Elkton High School to use for several natural resource classes. On Monday, the Oregon Tree Farm System recognized their accomplishments as well as those of eight other family forest landowners representing various Counties. In attendance were Dr. Thomas Maness, Dean of OSU College of Forestry, Meg Mitchell, Deputy Regional Forester with the Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Forestry State Forester Doug Decker. The three state and federal organizations are major supporters of family forest landowners working to improve the health of their forests. About The American and Oregon Tree Farm Systems The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) is a nationwide organization that started in the Pacific Northwest in 1941. ATFS includes 27 million acres of certified forestland managed by America's family forest owners who are meeting the highest standards of sustainability and managing their lands for water, wildlife, wood, and recreation. The Oregon Tree Farm System (OTFS) promotes the conservation and growing of forest resources in a sustainable manner on Family Forests. This forest landowner-led organization partners with state and federal natural resource agencies and organizations to promote active forest management for a wide array of economic, environmental and social objectives. For more information To learn more about Oregon Tree Farm Systems: http://www.otfs.org/ # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Nov 21 09:26:21 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:26:21 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] NW Regional Forest Practices Committee meets December 5 in Forest Grove Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44BC3D39@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Regional Forest Practices Committee meets December 5 in Forest Grove November 21, 2012 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 The NW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) office at 801 Gales Creek Road (Tualatin meeting room) in Forest Grove. A public comment period is 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: * Reports on the restoration plan for the Private Forests Program, including updates on establishment of a compliance audit program regarding Forest Practices Act standards and progress towards on-line Notification systems for forest operations. * A review and discussion of draft rule language to implement 2011 House Bill 2165, which directed changes to written plan requirements. * Review of projects nominated as NW Oregon's 2012 Forest Practices Operator of the Year / Merit Award sites. * Updates on ODF work evaluating riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams. 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: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/pages/board/rfpc/rfpc.aspx ### 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 Nov 21 09:46:25 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:46:25 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Southwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets December 4 in Roseburg Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44BC3D4A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Southwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets December 4 in Roseburg November 21, 2012 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 The SW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 4 at the Douglas Forest Protective Association conference room, 1758 NE Airport Road in Roseburg. The meeting is 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: * Reports on the restoration plan for the Private Forests Program, including updates on establishment of a compliance audit program regarding Forest Practices Act standards and progress towards on-line Notification systems for forest operations. * A review and discussion of draft rule language to implement 2011 House Bill 2165, which directed changes to written plan requirements. * Review of projects nominated as NW Oregon's 2012 Forest Practices Operator of the Year / Merit Award sites. * Updates on ODF work evaluating riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams. 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: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/pages/board/rfpc/rfpc.aspx ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Nov 21 15:01:59 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:01:59 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Tillamook Forest Center cancels Weekend Holiday wreath-making event due to power outage Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44BC3E59@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - News Release Weekend Holiday wreath-making event cancelled due to power outage at Tillamook Forest Center November 21, 2012 Contact: Larry Berrin, 503-812-8786 Cynthia Orlando, 503-945-7421 The Oregon Department of Forestry, Tillamook Forest Center located at 45500 Wilson River Highway, Tillamook, Oregon 97141 is closed today through the Holiday Weekend due to power outage. The Center was originally scheduled to host a holiday wreath-making event this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but unfortunately, that event has been cancelled. A power line owned by the Bonneville Power Administration went down in the high winds Oregon experienced earlier this week. "The Tillamook Forest Center hosts this event every year, and every year it's been a big success with families and attendees," says Larry Berrin, Director of the Tillamook Forest Center. "The Center was set to close for the winter on Sunday, November 25, but circumstances necessitated an earlier closure," he said, adding, "Given the disappointment many may be feeling, we hope to host an even bigger and better event next year." Power will likely not be restored until later next week. # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Nov 26 13:13:38 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:13:38 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Public comment period open on amended 2013 Coos District forest plan Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44C11ED0@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Public comment period open on amended 2013 Coos District forest plan November 26, 2012 Contact: Kevin Weeks, (503) 945-7427 kweeks at odf.state.or.us /or/ Norma Kline (541) 267-1742 nkline at odf.state.or.us The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) invites the public to comment on a proposed amended annual operations plan to guide management of state-owned forests in ODF's Coos District, which includes the Elliott State Forest. The 45-day comment period begins on November 26, 2012. A majority of timber sales identified in the approved Coos District fiscal year 2013 plan were deferred during 2012 due to issues connected with a lawsuit, pending in U.S. District Court, regarding marbled murrelet habitat. In order to meet responsibilities under the Oregon Constitution to provide revenue to the state's Common School Fund, ODF staff have identified six additional timber sales in the Elliott State Forest that are not impacted by issues raised in the lawsuit. These six sales are proposed to be added to the Coos District operating plan for fiscal year 2013, which began July 1, 2012. The additional proposed sales are anticipated to provide 9.8 million board-feet of timber for the current fiscal year, and an estimated $2.48 million in net revenue for schools and county services in Oregon. As proposed, the modified plan would authorize a total of almost 14 million board-feet of timber, and $3.8 million in revenue. The proposed amended Coos District annual operations plan, and the documents supporting the proposed changes, have been posted on the ODF web site: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/Coos-Modified-FY2013-AOP.aspx Annual operations plans for ODF districts identify and describe specific projects pertinent to the economic, environmental and social aspects of managing state lands, such as timber sales, road maintenance, stream enhancement and recreation. Comments and questions on the plan may be sent to ODF in any of the following ways: * Through the comment link on the web site * Email to: nkline at odf.state.or.us * Fax to: (541) 269-2027, Attn: Norma Kline * Postal mail to: Norma Kline, Oregon Dept. of Forestry Coos District, 63612 Fifth Road, Coos Bay OR 97420. The public comment period runs through January 9, 2013. The ODF Coos District oversees management of 95,273 acres of state forestland, primarily the 93,000 acre Elliott State Forest in Coos and Douglas counties. Ninety-one percent of the Elliott State Forest (84,562 acres) is part of the Common School Fund real estate portfolio, with a constitutional mandate to generate revenues for K-12 schools. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Nov 29 08:58:40 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:58:40 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Smoke management committee meets 12-4 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B44C124B3@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. Smoke management committee meets Dec. 4 in Salem Nov. 29, 2012 Major media distribution Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us The Smoke Management Review Committee will receive subcommittee reports on a smoke monitoring data system, and tracking of alternatives to prescribed forest burning when it meets on Dec. 4 in Salem. Other agenda items include: ? Managing burning on poor/marginal days ? Proposed smoke management budget/field coordinator position 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. Oregon's smoke management program has two goals: remove excess forest fuels and prevent wildfire smoke emissions. 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. Burning in the fall shortly after wildfire danger subsides reduces smoke emissions and enables more complete removal of slash. 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. The meeting is open to the public, and public comment will be taken at 10:40 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. For more information on Oregon's Smoke Management Plan, go to the Department of Forestry's website, www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/fire/fire.aspx#Smoke_Management_Information. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Nov 30 15:13:46 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:13:46 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State Forester Update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B47089DCC@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> State Forester Doug Decker provided this update to Oregon Department of Forestry staff on Friday. Kevin Weeks ODF Public Affairs Office From: DECKER Doug S Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 3:04 PM Hello - There's much to report, from Salem to Washington, D.C., as we head into December and the holiday break that follows. Here are a few updates: An early milestone in the budget process This morning, Governor Kitzhaber released his recommended 2013-2015 budget, which he will submit to the Legislature when it convenes early next year. The economy continues to grow very slowly, and the budget remains challenging. With the funds available, the Governor's budget addresses priorities in education, jobs, and reducing the cost of government-primarily with changes in PERS and in the corrections system. In his remarks, the Governor mentioned forestry as part of the foundation of Oregon's wellbeing and economic recovery, and his budget includes some key forestry investments. Among them is the Wildfire Protection Act, a reform crafted over many months by a range of stakeholders and with the strong support of the Department and the Board of Forestry. The Act increases investments where we know they are most effective: up front, in firefighting assets that we can position when and where fire danger is most severe. This keeps more fires small, and reduces costs in the long run for landowners and for the public. With that foundation, the Act also moves towards a 50-50 sharing of large fire costs, which landowners have paid fully in most years. And it provides an offset for fire protection rates on lower-productivity, fire-prone eastside lands, a measure that can help keep those lands viable as working forests. I'm pleased to report that the budget also includes authorization for use of lottery-backed bonds to allow us to purchase 20,200 acres to complete acquisition of the Gilchrist State Forest, which we began several years ago. This will mark an important milestone for the Department, Oregon's state forest system, and the state as a whole. Acknowledging the importance to Oregon of federally-owned forestlands, the Governor's budget also provides lottery funds to support collaborative groups developing projects that enhance forest health while also providing raw materials for mills. As part of a focus on water, the budget includes funds, shared among several natural resource agencies, to continue important research about the effectiveness of regulations in meeting water quality standards. Two other notes of particular interest for us: The budget includes funding for four new positions in our Information Technology Program, essential to modernization and improved customer service, and replacement of an aging, structurally unsound warehouse in our South Cascade District. The inclusion of these elements during challenging budget times is a tribute to strong relationships with stakeholders, and to a clear, unified message about the importance of forests and other natural resources. We will join with our partners to make the case for these investments as the Legislature conducts its budget deliberations, leading toward an adopted budget about mid-year. I'll continue to keep you posted as that process moves ahead. A busy trip to Washington, D.C. I leave Sunday for a full week of meetings and work sessions in the nation's capital. Board Chair John Blackwell will be joining me for the first several days. On Monday, we'll be in the gallery as the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case that originated in 2006 in federal court in Oregon. It will be a privilege to witness the Supreme Court in action. In the case, the Northwest Environmental Defense Center sued the Board of Forestry, then-State Forester Marvin Brown, and several timber companies, asserting that storm runoff from forest roads constitutes a "point source" of pollution, therefore requiring federal permits for each discharge point. The case has taken on national interest, with forestry associations, 31 states, and other groups concerned about the regulatory burden and expense that could result. We continue to stand by the Oregon Forest Practices Act and associated best management practices as the most effective way to address storm runoff from forest roads, as we believe the federal Clean Water Act intends. A decision in the case is expected in the spring. The week's agenda also includes meetings with Oregon's Senators and Representatives or their staffs, Forest Service leadership, and my National Association of State Foresters colleagues. Federal forest management, and opportunities for us to more fully use federal programs to conserve working forests at risk of fragmentation, will be themes throughout the week. I wish you all a safe and productive week, and I look forward to sharing impressions from my visit when I'm back in town. Best wishes, Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester Director Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State Street, Salem OR 97301 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: