[ODF_Private_Forests] State Forests Advisory Committee meets March 15 in Forest Grove

[WEEKS Kevin]

Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE

State Forests Advisory Committee meets March 15 in Forest Grove



For immediate release:

March 4, 2013



Contact:        Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs  503-945-7427

The State Forests Advisory Committee will meet March 15 to review a range of topics involving management of state-owned forests in Northwest Oregon. The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Forest Grove Community Auditorium, 1915 Main Street in Forest Grove.

The proposed agenda for the meeting includes an overview of the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 planning process for development of the annual operation plans for state forestlands in Northwest Oregon. Members of the public are invited to attend; a public comment period is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

ODF's State Forests Advisory Committee consists of representatives from the general public and from timber, environmental and recreational groups.  The committee provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and to offer advice and guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan.

The plan provides guidance for managing 616,000 acres within the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam state forests, and several scattered state-owned forest tracts in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and Lane counties. It calls for active management of the forestlands for a balanced mix of economic, environmental and social benefits.

ODF manages about 821,000 acres of forestland statewide, in six state forests, and in numerous small forest tracts in 15 counties. On most of the lands, two-thirds of the revenue generated from timber sales goes to the counties that deeded these lands to the state, being divided between the county's local taxing districts, the county school fund and the county government general fund. ODF retains the remaining third to manage the forestlands and protect them from fire.

The remaining acreage, primarily in the Elliott State Forest near Reedsport, was granted to Oregon at statehood, and by constitutional mandate is managed to maximize revenue to the state's Common School Fund, consistent with sound stewardship. ODF manages these lands under contract with the State Land Board.

The location of the March 15 meeting 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 ODF at 503-945-7427.

###


Kevin Weeks

Public Information Officer

Oregon Department of Forestry

Public Affairs Office

(503) 945-7427

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/private_forests/attachments/20130304/154e2e4a/attachment.html>