From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Jan 3 12:49:05 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2013 12:49:05 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Leadership transition, remarks from Gov Kitzhaber on Forestry Board agenda Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B491ACAD5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. Leadership transition, remarks from Governor Kitzhaber on Forestry Board agenda January 3, 2013 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 mark a transition at its Jan. 9 meeting in Salem, as John Blackwell, whose term as board chair ended Dec. 31, passes the gavel to Tom Imeson, public affairs director at the Port of Portland. Michael Rose, a forest industry labor representative, is joining the board as well, succeeding Steve Wilson, whose term also ended Dec. 31. Governor Kitzhaber will thank the outgoing members for their service, welcome the new members, and offer his perspectives on challenges facing federally owned forestland in Oregon. The board has placed high priority on issues involving the 60 percent of Oregon's forestland base that is federally owned, and will take up the topic later in its agenda. Two panels will provide updates and views on forest health, economic viability of rural communities, and other issues related to the 60 percent of Oregon's forestland base that is federally owned. The first panel will update the board on state actions intended to influence federal forest policy. These include a legislative proposal to support local collaborative groups working on forest projects, and Kitzhaber's initiative to address the future of the Oregon and California forestlands in western Oregon. A second panel will include guest speakers representing various groups with a range of interests in the management of federally owned forests. Based on the Jan. 9 discussion, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will return with proposals this spring for specific board engagement in federal forest policy issues. Other agenda highlights include: Improving financial viability of the State Forests Division A work group formed to address budget shortfalls in the ODF State Forests Division will present its final report and recommendations. The division is self-supporting, almost entirely through timber sale revenues, which took a dramatic downturn during the national housing and economic crises. The work group's short-term recommendations include continuing with cost reduction measures, increasing timber harvest volumes within existing policies, and improving business practices and functions. Long-term recommendations include developing alternative forest management plans and an overall financial plan for the division, and evaluating alternative revenue streams. Planning fire protection work ODF staff will present a draft Fire Protection Division work plan for board consideration. The plan covers priority items, including the Wildfire Protection Act, HB 2050 in the 2013 legislative session, which would control and equitably distribute costs in Oregon's wildfire protection system. Other draft work plan items include revising the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, and reviewing ODF's agreements with forest protective associations-integral partners in fire protection-and updating them as necessary. Connecting with the Oregon State University College of Forestry Dr. Thomas Maness, new dean of the College of Forestry, will present his vision of the future of the college. The forest economist will also discuss collaboration between the institution and ODF, and profile several key initiatives underway in the college. Salmonberry "Rails and Trails" update The board will receive an update on ODF's partnership with local and state agencies to consider the feasibility of this proposal to develop the rail bed through the Salmonberry Canyon in Tillamook County into a recreational trail system. The Portland-based landscape architecture firm of Walker-Macy provided an initial, high-level feasibility analysis of the project last November. Meeting details The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the administration building's Tillamook Room at ODF's Salem headquarters, 2600 State St. The agenda includes a general public comment period shortly after 9 a.m. Public comment on specific agenda items will be received as the board takes them up. More information on the Board of Forestry is online at: www.oregonforestry.gov. Background information on the Jan. 9 meeting, including staff reports, is available through the 2013 "Meeting Schedules" link on the website. 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, at (503) 945-7200. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Jan 4 07:16:24 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2013 07:16:24 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Stewardship Coordinating Committee to meet Jan. 17 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B491ACBDC@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry ? NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 3, 2013 Contact: Jim Cathcart 503-945-7493 Cynthia Orlando 503-945-7421 Stewardship Coordinating Committee to meet Jan. 17 in Salem Oregon?s Stewardship Coordinating Committee, whose primary purpose is advising the State Forester on incentive programs for family forestland owners, meets Thursday, January 17, in Salem. The committee ? comprised of state and federal natural resource agency representatives, private forest landowners, consulting foresters and members of forest industry and conservation organizations ? is meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the 17th in the Santiam meeting room at Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) headquarters in Salem. Meeting agenda The committee advises the State Forester about policies and procedures for delivering private forest landowner assistance programs, including the U.S. Forest Service Legacy and Forest Stewardship programs. The agenda on the 17th includes developing Oregon?s capacity to provide financial assistance to private forestland owners following natural catastrophes such as wildfire, wind and ice storms, and insect and disease outbreaks. Also scheduled is a discussion about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program ? a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Services Agency program implemented by cooperating state and federal agencies to develop forested stream-side buffers on agricultural and range lands. Also on the agenda: an update about a U.S. Forest Service-funded project designed to develop a standardized system for preparing management plans for family forestlands. Partners in this ?Uniform Resource Planning and Endorsement? system include the Oregon Tree Farm System, Forest Stewardship Council, Association of Consulting Foresters, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, Oregon State University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, the Oregon Small Woodlands Association and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Updates about the Forest Service?s state and private forestry program, and ODF?s ?Committee for Family Forestlands? are also scheduled. In addition to advising the State Forester on incentive programs for family forestland owners, the committee also serves as forestry subcommittee to Oregon?s Technical Advisory Committee, advising both the USDA Farm Services Agency and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service on federal farm and forestry assistance programs. Public invited Members of the public are invited to attend and participate. Questions about the meeting can be directed to Jim Cathcart or Cynthia Orlando at the contact numbers listed. 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. More information about the Stewardship Coordinating Committee: www.oregon.gov/odf/privateforests/pages/stewardshipcoordinatingcommittee.aspx # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Jan 8 11:55:52 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2013 11:55:52 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets January 16 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4922704A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE January 8, 2013 News Contact: ??????????? Cynthia Orlando (503-945-7421)??? Lena Tucker (503-945-7529) Committee for Family Forestlands to meet January 16 in Salem The Committee for Family Forestlands meets at 9:00 Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) headquarters in Salem. The Committee provides information and counsel to the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester in matters relating to family forestlands, including maintenance of a viable family forestland base, protection of resources and positive contributions to Oregon's vitality. On the agenda The proposed agenda for the meeting includes an update about forestry, forest roads and TMDL's, or total maximum daily load, and the Clean Water Act; an update about Oregon's Board of Forestry from ODF's Private Forests Division Chief Peter Daugherty, and a discussion about a pilot project for tree farm membership led by Oregon Tree Farm System President Joe Holmberg. The Committee will also hear from Ron Alvarado, the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) State Conservationist, regarding his vision for how NRCS works with family forestland owners. Committee members will also follow-up with previous discussions about forestry issues in eastern Oregon. Thirteen positions - seven voting members and six seats in non-voting roles - form the committee. Voting members include family forest owners, an environmental community representative, a representative of Oregon's forest products industry and a citizen-at-large representing the public. Non-voting ex-officio members may include representatives of the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University, Oregon small forestland groups, forestry-related industry associations and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. ODF headquarters are located at 2600 State Street in Salem, and the meeting takes place in Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room. 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. Additional information about the Committee for Family Forestlands is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/CFF/cff.aspx # # # From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Jan 9 14:31:55 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2013 14:31:55 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Governor Kitzhaber speech to Forestry Board Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B492272F1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Video of Governor Kitzhaber's remarks today to the Oregon Board of Forestry is available on-line: http://vimeo.com/57085321 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Jan 9 15:13:01 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2013 15:13:01 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon's Forest Practices Operators of the Year announced Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4922731F@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> NEWS RELEASE - Oregon Department of Forestry Oregon's Forest Practices Operators of the Year announced January 9, 2013 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) today announced the 2012 Forest Practices Operator of the Year and Merit Award winners, recognizing innovation and commitment to protecting natural resources while working in Oregon's forests. The state Board of Forestry established the awards program during the 1990's to honor individuals and businesses that consistently meet or exceed the natural resource protection standards set by the Oregon Forest Practices Act. The Act requires post-harvest reforestation, streamside buffers, road-building and maintenance standards, and other measures to protect natural resources during forest operations. Ken Fallon Logging - Northwest Region Operator of the Year Fallon, a Tillamook-based logger since 1968, was honored for work on the Jordan Bound timber sale in the Tillamook State Forest - a harvest site with steep terrain and limited road access. "Steep" meant some log trucks and equipment operating at grades between 20 percent and 35 percent, including instances where a heavy-lift bulldozer pulled fully loaded log trucks up the hill for additional support. Harvesting trees on ridges also meant using cable harvest systems that extended over a mile long to keep trees suspended above the ground, a measure that helps protect soil. "Ken Fallon's crews always seem to get our most difficult jobs," said Joe Travers, timber sale administrator with the ODF Tillamook District. "The Jordan Bound units have probably been among the toughest logging we've had on our district in a long time." Fallon Logging employs over 100 people in northwestern Oregon. Fallon is known for being involved in community events around Tillamook, and was also honored as Forest Practices Operator of the Year in 2004. George Hagedorn - Eastern Oregon Region Operator of the Year Hagedorn Logging of La Grande is recognized for work performing a thinning harvest across 525 acres of the popular Mt. Emily Recreation Area overlooking La Grande in Union County. Hagedorn was selected for the task by the forest landowner based on Hagedorn's consistent record of successful projects in eastern Oregon. Careful planning work meant a timber harvest yielding two million board feet while receiving compliments from multiple recreation groups for protecting the area's scenic, environmental and social values. Hagedorn designed skid trails to have a low impact on soils, including established horse and hiking trails. "They were very happy with how it turned out," said George Hagedorn, owner of Hagedorn Logging. "I think we surprised them." The minimal disturbance to the area's visual appeal is highlighted by one visitor to the site after harvest asking the landowner when the area was scheduled to be logged, unaware that the harvest had already occurred. ** Recognizing excellence Seven companies were also recognized for excellence as Merit Award winners for 2012: * DeSantis Drilling of Silverton * Jim Graf Logging of Myrtle Creek * Hennes Logging of Gates * JWTR LLC of Klamath Falls * Lankford Logging of Pilot Rock * Meng Logging of Molalla * Watterson Logging of John Day Award recipients were selected by the Board of Forestry's three Regional Forest Practices Committees, which evaluate nominees based on consistency of positive performance, innovation in project design, relative difficulty of a forest operation and a commitment to protecting Oregon's natural resources. The winners will be recognized during the statewide meeting of Associated Oregon Loggers in Eugene on January 10, during the Oregon Logging Conference in February, and at the Board's March 6 meeting in Salem. With passage of the Forest Practices Act in 1971, Oregon became the first state to enact forest management laws that regulate forest operations and protect natural resources. The act has been revised many times in response to new scientific findings and changing societal interests. Additional information about sustainable forest management in Oregon's forests is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### NOTE - Video profiles of the Fallon and Hagedorn awards are available on the web for viewing - Fallon: http://vimeo.com/56830395 Hagedorn: http://vimeo.com/56830394 Photos of award-winning sites are available to news media upon request. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Jan 14 13:07:37 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:07:37 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] ODF video feature - Board of Forestry leadership transition Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B49227919@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Department of Forestry produced a video news feature about the leadership transition that occurred at the January 9, 2013 Board of Forestry meeting, and that video feature is now posted on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/57391536 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 Jan 23 10:47:06 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:47:06 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] NW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets February 6 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4B1B19E4@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE NW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets February 6 in Salem January 23, 2013 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 The NW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee (RFPC) will meet on Wednesday, February 6 in the Clatsop meeting room of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) complex, 2600 State Street (Building C) in Salem. 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 meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with a public comment time scheduled near the start of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include: * A report on the ODF project to implement 2011's 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. * Updates on ODF initiatives to address water quality protection concerns, including development of the Mid-Coast Total Daily Maximum Threshold multi-agency project, and development of rule language addressing riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams. * Updates on efforts to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the ODF Private Forests program, and development of a compliance audit measuring certain Forest Practices Act standards. * Reports on reforestation waivers for lands along some state highways, and potential impacts to private landowners from wildlife rule changes removing bald eagles from protections under federal law. 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.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 Fri Jan 25 11:57:48 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:57:48 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Timber tax webinar February 13 and Corvallis April workshop Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4B1B1E76@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News list members: Two training opportunities are coming up in the next several weeks, for your information... *********************************************************** The Southern Regional Extension Forestry consortium is presenting a webinar -- Income Tax on Timber for Your 2012 Tax Return Filing - on February 13 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. EST (9-10:30 a.m. Pacific Time). This webinar will cover federal tax reporting on timber transactions as well as the latest sweeping tax law changes from the "fiscal cliff" resolution package enacted by Congress. Additional information/registration-- http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinars/income-tax-on-timber-for-your-2012-tax-return-filing Presenter(s): Dr. Linda Wang, National Timber Tax Specialist, US Forest Service Dr. John Greene, Retired Research Forester, US Forest Service CEU Credits: Society of American Foresters - 1.5 hour Category 1 Credit [credits applied for] The Wildlife Society - 1.5 hour TWS Category 1 Credit Webinar Delivery Platform: Blackboard Collaborate *************************************************** LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING WORKSHOP: TELLING THE STORY OF THE "LEFT-SIDE" OF THE NEPA TRIANGLE Purpose: When watershed analysis came into play under the NWFP, there was a lot of discussion about landscapes and how they function. In recent years, as many units have focused vegetation management programs on plantation thinning, the idea of putting projects in a "landscape context" seems to have diminished. This workshop will remind us all of landscape processes, how to analyze and display those processes using cutting-edge tools, and how to use that information to develop project recommendations. When: April 23, 2013. Where: LaSelles Stewart Center, Corvallis, Oregon Interest to: All Interdisciplinary Teams involved with project planning. Cost: FREE. It will also be available via live-stream. RSVP WILL BE REQUIRED BY April 15. Final agenda will be available at http://ecoshare.info/projects/central-cascade-adaptive-management-partnership/workshops by February 15, 2013. Sponsors: Central Cascades Adaptive Management Partnership (Willamette National Forest, H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Eugene BLM, PNW Research Station, and Oregon State University, USGS, UofO); the NW Oregon Ecology Group (Eugene and Salem BLM, Mt. Hood, Siuslaw, and Willamette National Forests, and Columbia River Gorge National Recreation Area); and the R6 Resource Planning and Monitoring Group. Follow-Up: A VDDT/Path training will be held April 24, 2013 in Corvallis. Contact Ayn Shlysky for more information and to RSVP. ajshlisky at fs.fed.us ************************************************** 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 Jan 28 11:27:52 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:27:52 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Late January ODF Update Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4B1B20FB@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> State Forester Doug Decker provided this information to Oregon Department of Forestry staff today. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 ************************************************************************ Good Morning. A few updates as we head into 2013 and-of particular importance at this time of year-a new legislative session. Legislators were in town briefly in January to elect House and Senate leaders, establish committees, and receive the first batch of bills-1,279 to be exact. The leadership is now assigning those bills to the various committees, which will begin their work when the 2013 session convenes on February 4. We're well positioned for 2013. As the session approaches, we're visiting with committee chairs and vice chairs and, across the legislature, keeping longstanding relationships strong and reaching out to newly elected members. The vibe is good. Our Department is well regarded, and we're hearing considerable interest and support for our legislative centerpiece, House Bill 2050. We know this as the Wildfire Protection Act, a proposal, crafted with stakeholder involvement, to control and equitably distribute costs as we adapt our wildfire protection system for the 21st century. You can see a quick overview of the Act at: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/docs/HB_2050_Backgrounder.pdf I know that positive vibe is directly attributable to the good work you do across the state. Your success pays dividends every day, but shines in a unique way when we sit down with senators and representatives to share our story. Some legislators have worked with our programs and budgets for years. Others are hearing about who we are and what we do for the first time. Our executive team is carrying out a strategy to make contacts suited to the various members' leadership or committee positions, and to their level of familiarity with the agency. At the same time, we're enjoying support from the Governor's Office, and joining with our sister state natural resources agencies to share a common message about the importance of natural resources to Oregon's wellbeing and economic recovery. Of course, an important milestone each session is the approval of an agency budget. The Governor's recommended budget provides support across the agency, and includes some significant specific features for us. Our opportunity to present our budget in detail to a Ways and Means subcommittee generally comes in the spring. This is a crucial moment in making the case for our programs, services and innovations, and we have begun to prepare for that. In the meantime, we have sifted through all 1,279 of those introduced bills, and selected just under 200 for a closer look by program staff. More bills are on the way; about 3,000 are introduced in a typical session. Although only a fraction of those become law, it's important that we take a careful look at all of them, and keep close tabs on those with potential effects on our work. There may be an opportunity to participate in this work in a new way. During past sessions, we've welcomed interns to spend month-long stints in our legislative tracking office, helping to sort and analyze bills and monitor hearings. This time, Deputy State Forester Paul Bell is crafting a longer-term temporary position involving legislative support and other executive level duties. We'll be seeing more information about this soon. I'll close with wishes for a productive and safe 2013. Thanks once again for your longstanding good work, and for your commitment as we face the challenges and opportunities this new year will bring. All the best, 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 Jan 28 13:53:38 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:53:38 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry's Astoria District announces firewood permit changes Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4B1B21B9@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Oregon Department of Forestry announces firewood permit changes For immediate release Distribution: Clatsop County news media January 29, 2013 Contact: Frank Lertora, 503-325-5451 Beginning February 1, the manner in which firewood permits are issued by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Astoria District Office will change. The new program will allow for permits to be issued geographically by management basin instead of timber sale area as was done in the past. There are 15 different management basins in ODF's Astoria District, ranging in size from 4,265 to 18,832 acres. Most are located in the eastern portion of Clatsop County. Firewood cutting will be allowed on downed wood that is within 50 feet of a surfaced road. Certain areas within each basin will be excluded from firewood cutting. Some examples of excluded areas are: sold timber sales, recreation sites, planned timber sale operations, ecologically sensitive areas, and Oregon Department of Transportation rights-of-way. As has always been the case, ODF does not guarantee the quality or availability of wood in the permit areas and no refunds will be issued. Areas that have a concentration of material suitable for firewood will be identified on the basin maps. Those interested in obtaining a permit are encouraged to visit the ODF - Astoria District's web page, www.oregon.gov/ODF/pages/field/astoria/aboutastoria.aspx, to view management basin maps and to familiarize themselves with areas they are interested in obtaining a firewood permit within. Prospective firewood cutters may also call the district's Woodcutting Hotline, 503-325-7215, for information. Signs will be posted in the field identifying areas that are closed to firewood cutting. However, the public is cautioned that the signs are only for guidance, since signs may be torn down or damaged and not replaced in a timely manner. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to determine if s/he is in an area available for firewood cutting as shown on the permit map. Detailed forest road maps are available at the district office for $6. The double-sided map covers Clatsop County and portions of Columbia, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties. Permits will be sold during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits will not be sold during fire season, which generally runs from July 1 through October 1. There is a limit of five permits per individual and household per year. There will not be a limit on the number of permits sold in each management basin. Firewood permits cost $20 and are good for two cords of wood or three weeks, whichever comes first. Permits may be purchased at the Astoria District Office, 92219 Highway 202, in Astoria, which is located next to the Clatsop County Fairgrounds. All permit sales are cash only. No checks or credit cards are accepted. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Jan 29 11:06:06 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:06:06 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] SW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets February 12 in Roseburg Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4B1B23F5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE SW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets February 12 in Roseburg January 29, 2013 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 The Southwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 12 at the Douglas Forest Protective Association conference room, 1758 NE Airport Road in Roseburg. 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 meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with a public comment time scheduled near the start of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include: * 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. * Updates on ODF initiatives to address water quality protection concerns, including development of the Mid-Coast Total Daily Maximum Threshold multi-agency project, and development of rule language addressing riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams. * Updates on efforts to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the ODF Private Forests program, and development of a compliance audit measuring certain Forest Practices Act standards. * Reports on reforestation waivers for lands along some state highways, and potential impacts to private landowners from wildlife rule changes removing bald eagles from protections under federal law. 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.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 Thu Jan 31 08:04:02 2013 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:04:02 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Old road in Tillamook State Forest removed thanks to OWEB grant Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B4CEC6976@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Old road in Tillamook State Forest removed thanks to OWEB grant January 30, 2013 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 Sometimes improving a forest means removing what people put there - including roads. During 2012, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) removed over one mile of older forest road in the Tillamook State Forest to improve stream conditions, benefiting salmon and other aquatic species in the process. Work was also performed to place remnants of large trees in the stream to better mimic healthy fish habitat. A common practice as logging roads were established in Oregon's forests during the early parts of the 20th century was to have roads run at the lowest point of the peak-and-valley geography common in northwest Oregon - which frequently placed the road in close proximity to a stream, lake or river. As our understanding of how forest practices interact with natural processes has improved over the decades, so has Oregon's approach to building new forest roads. New road standards introduced between 1996-2006 include measures such as locating new roads away from streams (ideally on ridge tops), diverting storm runoff to the forest floor where the soil can filter it, and restricting forest road use during wet weather. Contractors removed - also called the decommissioning process - about 1.1 miles of Old Lousignont (pron. LEW-sig-not) Road and a portion of Marshall Road in the ODF-managed forest, located about 10 miles west of L.L. 'Stub' Stewart State Park in Washington County. The road decommissioning project is ODF's contribution to match a $25,000 grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to promote stream enhancement. Bighorn Logging of Forest Grove was selected to perform the work, which started by locating trees for the stream enhancement project during spring 2012. Many trees used were harvested during the Old Lou timber sale that occurred near Lousignont Creek. Almost 200 trees longer than 40 feet were placed in the stream at 15 points along a one-and-one-quarter-mile stretch of the creek. Crews used the aging road during the placement of logs during August, but by September it was time to return a 1.1 mile section of the road to a natural state, which was completed by October 2012. "It's exciting to come back to a road decommission site a year later," says Erin Olson, engineering unit forester with ODF's Forest Grove District. "Even in that time span the area greens right back up." Restoring natural processes through road decommissioning is a long-term commitment. ODF staff statewide is able to remove about 8-10 miles of road from Oregon's state-owned forests during a typical year. Water flowing from forestland in Oregon is cleaner than water flowing from land in any other use. For more information about how the Oregon Department of Forestry and private landowners are working to maintain water quality, go to the ODF web site: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/Protecting-Water-Quality.aspx ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: