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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009>Private Forests News list members:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009>The Oregon Department of Forestry's Executive Team sent
this update message to staff on Friday regarding budget realignments, layoffs,
economic stimulus and realignment of ODF's organizational structure in the near
future.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009>Kevin Weeks</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009>Public Information Officer / Private Forests
Division </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009>Oregon Department of Forestry</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009>(503) 945-7427</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=502180716-05062009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>Sent:</B> Friday, June 05, 2009 9:05
AM<BR><B>Subject:</B> Budget and Organizational Update<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=289515915-05062009>Hi
everyone...w</SPAN>e’ve started a new phase in our response to the recession –
one in which the impacts on our people and our programs are becoming all too
real<SPAN class=289515915-05062009> - and we wanted to provide an update for you
today on a few important points</SPAN>.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Through the very difficult layoff
and bumping processes, some colleagues will move to different jobs, and others,
unfortunately, will leave the department. Change and uncertainty will continue
for some time, as employees exercise their bumping rights, and as the
Legislature works toward decisions in the next few weeks that will shape our
2009-2011 budget.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Ultimately, as we adjust to new
staffing levels and a new emphasis on work funded by stimulus dollars, we’ll
also see changes to our organizational structure.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As we’ve mentioned in past
messages, we felt that we needed to go ahead with the layoffs in State Forests
now, in response to the sharp drop in stumpage prices, a result of the decline
in the housing market.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Still ahead, however, are the
Legislature’s budget decisions for ODF and other state agencies. Those decisions
will determine what further reductions will be necessary for us.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Based on the budget framework
released last week by the co-chairs of the Legislature’s Ways and Means
Committee, it appears the General Fund reduction for the agency overall could be
as much as 15 percent, all taken in the Private Forests Program. However, we
don’t yet know those details.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Opportunities through economic
stimulus.</B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">It appears that stimulus dollars
will provide some replacement employment opportunities. Toward that end, our
recruitment for NRS 1’s and NRS 2’s, who would oversee projects funded with
stimulus payments, remains open. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We don’t have details at this
point about these positions, such as how many may be available or where they may
be located. In the coming weeks we expect to learn more about how much stimulus
money we can expect and about how the money is to be spent.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Through our recruitment, we hope
to create a pool of applicants that we can draw on as we are able to put
employment opportunities together. We encourage employees affected by layoffs or
bumping to consider this option. More information is available from Human
Resources.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Charting a new future.</B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The reductions we’re now facing,
and a growing emphasis on fuels reduction and other types of projects funded
with stimulus dollars, will change our organizational structure and alter our
responsibilities, with some positions potentially focused specifically on grant
projects.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Accordingly, at the executive
level, we’re starting to develop a reallocation plan – an effort to make the
best use of the resources available to us. Separate from the layoff process,
this is a look ahead, to an organizational structure that’s best suited to the
work that we will be doing. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">This process has just begun, and
we’ll keep you updated as we move forward.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">In closing. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></B>Even though much is changing and we must
adjust to a period of reduced resources, your work continues to make a
difference. Fire season is a time when many Oregonians have a chance to see that
first-hand. But it’s true every day of the year. We will do all we can to
provide opportunities for you to continue that great service.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As always, please don’t hesitate
to ask your supervisor, or any of us, if you have questions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Thanks again for your excellent
work.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:place
w:st="on">Clark</st1:place> Seely<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 6"> <SPAN
class=289515915-05062009> </SPAN></SPAN>Paul Bell</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Associate</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Forester<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 4">
</SPAN>Chief, <SPAN class=289515915-05062009>Fire </SPAN>Protection
Division<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 3">
</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Nancy</st1:place></st1:City> Hirsch<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 6"> <SPAN
class=289515915-05062009> </SPAN></SPAN>Jim Paul<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 3">
</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Chief, State Forests
Division<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 4">
</SPAN>Chief, Private Forests Division</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>