[ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board subcommittee considers state forest financial challenges

[WEEKS Kevin]

Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE

Forestry Board subcommittee considers state forest financial challenges

March 7, 2013                                                                         Major media distribution

Contact:
Dan Postrel
(503) 945-7420
dpostrel at odf.state.or.us<mailto:dpostrel at odf.state.or.us>

An Oregon Board of Forestry subcommittee will meet March 12 to review financial challenges in the Department of Forestry's state forest management program, and to begin consideration of possible solutions.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Tillamook Room, in Building C at the department's headquarters, 2600 State St., in Salem.

The agenda includes opportunities for public comment.

The state owns about 821,000 acres of forestland, 3 percent of Oregon's overall forestland base. The lands are managed by law and state constitutional mandate to provide a broad range of environmental, economic and social benefits. Timber sale proceeds help support schools, county government and other local public services.

The department retains a portion of these proceeds to cover the costs of managing the forests.  However, long-range management plans have produced less revenue than projected, and falling timber prices during the recent recession have compounded this challenge. These trends have prompted major reductions in forest inventory, research, monitoring, recreation management and other activities, and jeopardize the program's long-term financial viability.

Board of Forestry Chair Tom Imeson directed the subcommittee in January to review the situation, collect public input, and deliver recommendations to the full board. Imeson chairs the subcommittee, whose other members are Sybil Ackerman of Portland, Gary Springer of Corvallis and Mike Rose of Elkton.

Focuses for the March 12 meeting include gaining a full understanding of the challenges, distinguishing the board's role and authorities in addressing the issue from those of the department, and beginning to consider possible alternative funding sources and business models.

A second meeting is expected in April, to gather additional public input, and to recommend principles, timing and next steps for the full board. The subcommittee's goal is to present its recommendations to the board in June.

Special needs
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.

About the board
The Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the state forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing forest practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon's 30-million-acre forestland base.

More information about the board is available at: www.oregonforestry.gov<http://www.oregonforestry.gov>. Materials for the March 12 meeting will be posted in advance under the Board of Forestry Subcommittees tab.

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