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<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>ODF Private Forests News
members -- </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>Chief of the Private
Forests Division Jim Paul issued the following message to staff Thursday
regarding a $ 6.7 million reduction to the 2009-11 ODF Budget request in light
of recent economic events, and requests from the Oregon Department of
Administrative Services.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>It is provided to help
communicate the economic situation facing ODF for the coming year, and agency
response scenarios for the future. It is the intent of ODF to keep stakeholders
informed and seek guidance from stakeholders as budget issues develop during the
coming weeks.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>A two-page summary which
explains the current revenue situation is also attached.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>Kevin
Weeks</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>Public Information
Officer</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>ODF Agency Affairs /
Private Forests Division</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>(503)
945-7427</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN class=699560420-31102008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
class=699560420-31102008>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=699560420-31102008>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial>Hi everyone, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>I wanted to take
a moment to update you on our budget situation, and on our planning for the
challenges the Department is facing as we look toward the 2009-2011 biennium.
</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>As Clark Seely
and I mentioned in our last message, state government as a whole is not expected
to have enough revenue during the 2009-11 biennium, which begins next July 1, to
maintain services and programs at current levels. State agencies have been
directed to identify 10 percent reductions in General Fund – essentially state
income tax revenue, the funding source over which the state has the greatest
control – for 2009-11.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>As many of you
are aware, a General Fund reduction for the Department is most felt in the Fire
Protection or <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Private</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Forests</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> divisions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Because of the risks involved in
reducing initial attack resources, the Executive Team made the difficult choice
of focusing the reduction plan on the Private Forests Program. However, these
cuts would touch the entire agency – by further limiting our fire militia, for
example, and by affecting the way we manage vacancies throughout the
Department.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>At this point –
and the situation will change as we move into 2009 – our plan calls for
elimination of about 37 staff. There’s more detail about <SPAN
class=059550517-30102008>the plan </SPAN>at the end of this message, but thought
I’d first let you know where we are today in planning for these reductions, and
finding opportunities for those whose positions are at risk.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face=Arial>1) What ODF is doing right
now. <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Retaining ODF
personnel, our greatest asset in serving the public, will be the top priority.
This may mean transferring people among divisions or from one location or set of
duties to another, holding positions vacant during this biennium to provide
flexibility later, and other measures.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Although the
reductions aren’t scheduled to go into effect until July 1, we can begin doing
some of these things right away. This week, we rolled out the following specific
actions to begin addressing the possibility of reductions: </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Wherever we can, we will work to have vacant positions
available to provide options for employees whose positions must be eliminated.
However, this requires some administrative balancing, as positions may be lost
from ODF’s roster if they remain vacant for a long time.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Starting right away, we will work to fill vacant Natural
Resources Specialist 1 and 2 positions as limited duration or developmental
positions through next June 30.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>We will work with stewardship foresters and others in
positions that are ‘at risk’ to consider seeking promotions within ODF,
transfers, or other ODF positions that depend less on General Funds, where this
would be a good fit for the employee and the Department. </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>The planning
team (the three Area Directors, the Division Chiefs, Associate State Forester
Clark Seely, and Human Resources Director Jeanne Davis) is meeting regularly to
fully develop and implement the plan. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face=Arial>2) Spending
conservatively, now and in the future. <o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>At this point,
it appears that our funding is adequate in Private Forests and across the agency
for the current biennium, although release of the next statewide revenue
forecast on November 19 will be an opportunity for the Department of
Administrative Services and the Governor to re-evaluate.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>In any case, we
must continue to spend wisely and conservatively, as economic conditions allow.
Knowing that things may yet change this current biennium, we need to do what is
necessary to continue getting our jobs done. This includes moving forward, for
now, with essential training activities.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face=Arial>3) We need to keep in
close communication about the future.<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>At this point we
can’t say with certainty what the economic downturn will mean for ODF. Much
depends on how the economy fares and on decisions that the Governor and the
Legislature will make to allocate available revenue across all state
services.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>What we can do
is plan for the future, as much as we’re able<SPAN
class=470570018-30102008><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
color=#000000> to</FONT> </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=059550517-30102008>anticipate </SPAN>it, while continuing to provide
important services to Oregonians and getting the job done. This will require the
need to be responsive to potential changes in the road ahead. To help you be
aware of any changes as we move on down the road, the Executive Team is
committed to keeping you informed on a regular basis. We’ll continue to send
these kinds of messages every two or three weeks (more often if new information
becomes available) and to discuss the situation with employees and
stakeholders.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face=Arial>4) What the reduction plan
means for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Private</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Forests</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> – and a new vision.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Earlier in this
message, I mentioned that I would provide some more details about the current
reduction plan for the 2009-11 biennium, beginning next July 1. Here are some
particulars as we know them today, with the understanding that things will
change between now and July 1.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>As currently
envisioned, the plan: </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .25in"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Reduces the Private Forests budget by $6.7 million (roughly
one-quarter) once matching funds tied to the General Fund dollars are factored
in.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .25in"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Eliminates funding for eight Salem Private Forests staff
and 23 stewardship foresters in the field. Six additional staff positions in
specialized roles based in the field would also be eliminated.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When analyzing potential <SPAN
class=059550517-30102008>reductions</SPAN>, we have made every effort to
retain <SPAN class=059550517-30102008>headquarter </SPAN>staff
positions <SPAN class=059550517-30102008>necessary for </SPAN><SPAN
class=059550517-30102008>supporting </SPAN>policy direction changes and
field <SPAN class=059550517-30102008>operations</SPAN>, while ensuring
capacity in the field to serve landowners.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .25in"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Reduces overall field and headquarters staffing in the
Private Forests Program by 32 percent – back to levels of the late
1980s.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .25in"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Eliminates the Department’s formal involvement with the
Oregon Plan, recovery planning for salmon and other aquatic species, the state
Invasive Species Council, the Pesticide Stewardship Partnership, and other
interagency activities. While program goals and objectives would continue to
indirectly support Oregon Plan and recovery efforts, there would no longer be
dedicated funding available for these purposes.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Together, these
measures would reduce our ability to administer the Forest Practices Act and may
require statutory and/or rule changes. In fact, as we move through this
reduction phase, it is essential that we craft a vision that clearly expresses
what we strive to accomplish for Oregonians with the Private Forest resources
and reduced capacity available to us, and how we can succeed in realizing that
vision. In other words<SPAN class=059550517-30102008>, </SPAN><SPAN
class=059550517-30102008>the program needs to </SPAN>have a clear vision of the
future<SPAN class=059550517-30102008>, and the </SPAN>confiden<SPAN
class=059550517-30102008>ce</SPAN><SPAN class=059550517-30102008> that </SPAN>we
have the means <SPAN class=059550517-30102008>and ability </SPAN>to
achieve <SPAN class=059550517-30102008>it</SPAN>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There will be further discussion
about this, internally and externally, as we move forward.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face=Arial>5) The next
steps.<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>These are
difficult and unsettling times. Important mileposts ahead of us may change our
plans:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the November 4 election,
with several ballot measures that may affect state finances; the November 19
state government revenue forecast; the release of the Governor’s Recommended
Budget on December 1; and decisions during the 2009 Legislative session, which
begins January 12 and is expected to run about six months, until the start of
the 2009-11 biennium.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>The Executive
Team is committed to keeping you up to date as events unfold.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We will do this through regular messages
such as these, along with discussions at staff meetings and, as things become
clearer, with individual employees.<SPAN class=059550517-30102008>
</SPAN>We’ve weathered difficult budget periods before, and, together, will do
so again. I appreciate your continued hard work and dedication, particularly in
such uncertain times. <SPAN class=059550517-30102008>My sincere thanks
</SPAN>for all you do.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>If you have
questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your District Forester, Area
Director, Program Director/Deputy Chief, myself, or any of us on the Executive
Team.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial>Jim
Paul</FONT></P><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial>Private Forests Division
Chief</FONT></SPAN></DIV></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>