[ODF_Private_Forests] Late January ODF Update

[WEEKS Kevin]

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

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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

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