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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009>Private Forests News list members:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009>ODF Private Forests Division chief Jim Paul sent this
message Thursday to Private Forests staff to explain information communicated in
this week's release of the Ways & Means Co-Chairs recommended budget, and to
offer some analysis for what budget reductions may mean to Private Forests'
staffing levels.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009>Please let me know if you have
questions.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009>Kevin Weeks</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009>Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009>Oregon Department of Forestry</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009>(503) 945-7427</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=590201218-22052009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> PAUL Jim T <BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, May
21, 2009 4:35 PM<BR><B>Subject:</B> Oregon Legislature Ways and Means Co-Chairs
Budget Information<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=4>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I know some of you
have seen the note below from Clark Seely providing an overview of the
legislative budget information distributed on Monday, and I wanted to take this
opportunity to provide you with some further details specific to Private Forests
and what may be in store for us in the near future, as budget decisions are
made. </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
color=#000000 size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Keep in mind Monday
marked just the beginning of the final phase of the budget process. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As <st1:place w:st="on">Clark</st1:place>
communicates in the email below, "It is not the final decision on all budget
elements, but rather the starting point for final decisions, and work still will
continue on many fronts with planning, analysis and consideration of impacts and
trade-offs."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this time, our
budget is still 'unfinished', and negotiations between legislators continue
around the issue of how the costs of the program will be shared between
landowner’s contributions (harvest tax) and the state’s general
fund.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Having said that, the
General Fund reduction levels identified in the Co-Chairs’ recommended budget
equate to the 15% reduction plan that ODF submitted to the Legislature earlier
in the session, when we were asked to prepare reduction plans up to a 30%
level.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this point, we do not
know if the reduction proposed for Private Forests at a 15% level is the
reduction we’ll need to implement in the end, but the number of options
available to us has narrowed, and where we do end up may not differ
substantially from this level. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The legislative
negotiations towards our final budget may take weeks, and we still cannot
predict how long it will take <SPAN class=396183920-20052009>for
</SPAN>decisions to be made. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At the
executive level, we continue to analyze the situation, and evaluate the impacts
of reductions in various portions of the program.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">There was an error in
the numbers of “positions” affected by the general fund reduction identified in
the Co-Chairs’ budget for the Private Forests portion. It erroneously cites 10;
the correct number is 25.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We have
contacted the Legislative Fiscal Office and informed them of the error.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I know we are in
uncharted waters for the Private Forests program and ODF, where we cannot recall
a time when the economy, and our necessary response, has been ‘this
bad’. <SPAN class=396183920-20052009> </SPAN>I appreciate all of your
efforts as we do our best to cope with the gravity of everything we are working
through right now as <SPAN class=396183920-20052009>a program and </SPAN>an
agency.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the face of
unprecedented impacts, it is difficult at times to keep moving forward, and to
think—as we must—of the future of the Private Forests program and the important
work we do. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The executive team
feels these same concerns and uncertainty, and my thoughts go out to all of you
during these tough times.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Peter and I will
continue to keep you all informed in the coming weeks as the budget process
comes to closure, providing updates either within the program or
through <SPAN class=396183920-20052009>the </SPAN>All Forestry
messages.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As always, please contact
Peter or m<SPAN class=396183920-20052009>yself</SPAN> if you have questions or
concerns.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000 size=4></FONT></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Jim<SPAN
class=396183920-20052009> Paul</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=396183920-20052009>Private Forests Division Chief</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV><FONT
face=Arial size=4></FONT><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi everyone.
The Oregon Legislature's Ways and Means Co-Chairs (Senator Carter and
Representative Buckley) released their 2009-11 recommended biennial budget
framework yesterday at a 3:00 p.m. press conference. The Co-Chairs
budget release follows the Friday release of the May 2009 economic and
revenue forecast, and will provide the overall structure for the completion of
Oregon's 2009-11 budget.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>In summary, the
framework addresses both the final shortfall in General Fund/Lottery
Fund resources for the close of this biennium (2007-09), and the overall
approach for dealing with the forecasted revenue shortfalls for 2009-11.
At the high level, the overall state budget gap for General Fund and
Lottery Fund for 2007-09 and 2009-11 is now $4.2 billion, of which $4.1
is General Fund. To close this gap, the framework proposes to use
federal stimulus funds, state "rainy day" funds, reductions to some
state government service charges, new state revenues, and budget
reductions. The budget reductions and/or fund shifts total approximately
$2 billion, or about half of the gap. Across the total 2009-11
General Fund/Lottery Fund current service level budget, the reductions/fund
shifts represent a 12.4% reduction. The framework does leave some
state reserve funds remaining and does propose a $170 million ending balance,
but these two items really represent a contingency if state revenues
decline further once we are in the biennium.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>For the
Department, the proposed budget includes three major actions related to
General Fund - first, an agency General Fund reduction of $6.7 million, which
represents 15% of our total current service level, and according to our
proposed reduction plan, would come from the Private Forests
program. The second item is a shifting of funding in the Fire
Protection program from the current 50/50% General Fund/Landowner Assessments
for basic fire protection to a 45/55% ratio, and also a sharing of
the Fire Program's proportion of agency administration in that same 45/55
ratio. The third item is retention of the Governor's
proposed funding of the Fire Season Severity funds in an Emergency Board
Special Purpose Appropriation at the level proposed in the Governor's
budget.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>While the release
of the Co-Chairs framework does provide more clarity about legislative
priorities and use of resources, it is not the final decision on all budget
elements, but rather the starting point for final decisions, and
work still will continue on plans, analysis and consideration of impacts
and trade-offs. We will continue to work through various plans and
analysis too, and respond to questions and inquires as needed. As
decisions get closer and we have some settling of our situation, we'll keep
you posted on progress and decisions. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the meantime,
please contact me if you have questions at this point or need additional
information, and <SPAN class=932441017-31082006><FONT face=Arial><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=027161617-01032007><SPAN class=950384416-08022008><SPAN
class=984063416-29052008>p</SPAN>lease share this information with your
employees and
stakeholders</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN
class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN
class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN
class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN
class=184290023-19052009></SPAN><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Co-Chairs
recommended budget document (as a PDF file) can be found on the legislative
website at:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/budget/2009_11Co_ChairRecommendedBudget.pdf">http://www.leg.state.or.us/budget/2009_11Co_ChairRecommendedBudget.pdf</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks,
Clark</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=184290023-19052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial
size=2>_____________________________</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Clark W. Seely,
CF</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><EM>Associate State
Forester</EM></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Oregon Department of
Forestry</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>2600 State Street</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Salem, OR
97310-0340</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Phone:
503-945-7203</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Cell: 503-559-5807</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>FAX:
503-945-7212</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>email: <A
href="mailto:cseely@odf.state.or.us">cseely@odf.state.or.us</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>WEB: <A
href="http://www.odf.state.or.us/">www.odf.state.or.us</A></FONT></DIV>
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