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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><a name="OLE_LINK1"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2"><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Oregon Department of Forestry<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoTitle><span lang=X-NONE>Public comment period begins on Elliott State Forest management <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoTitle align=left style='text-align:left'><i><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoTitle><i><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt'>Proposed plan would take effect in January 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>For immediate release / Major media distribution<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>May 4,<span style='color:black'> 2011 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Contact: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Kevin Weeks (ODF) 503-945-7427; </span><a href="mailto:kweeks@odf.state.or.us"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>kweeks@odf.state.or.us</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Julie Curtis (DSL) 503-986-5298; </span><a href="mailto:julie.curtis@state.or.us"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>julie.curtis@state.or.us</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) invite the public to submit written comments on the 2011 update of the long-range plan for managing the Elliott State Forest. The </span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>95,273-<span style='color:black'>acre state-owned forest is located in the Coast Range between Coos Bay and Reedsport. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Ninety-one percent (86,367 acres) of the forest is Common School Fund land, overseen by the State Land Board. The board oversees management of the forest to provide timber revenue for K-12 schools using sound techniques of land management. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>The proposed forest management plan would replace the current plan adopted by the State Land Board and Board of Forestry in 1994, and go into effect on January 1</span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>,<b><span style='color:#0033CC'> </span></b><span style='color:black'>2012, </span>after approval by both boards in the fall.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>In 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved an Elliott State Forest </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Habitat Conservation Plan</span><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>, which included a 60-year Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the northern spotted owl and a </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>6</span><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>-year ITP for the marbled murrelet. The murrelet agreement expired in October 2001, and that expiration was the primary driver for revising the <span style='color:black'>forest management plan</span> and HCP.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText2><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>Since 2000, a multi-agency group of foresters and scientists has provided guidance to ODF and DSL on updating the 1994 </span><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>forest management plan </span><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>and 1995 HCP. After a decade of planning, the team has been un</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>successful in </span><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>reach</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>ing</span><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'> agreement with the </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>federal government on a </span><span lang=X-NONE style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>revised Elliott HCP. <b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>In early 2010, the Land Board and Board of Forestry set December 31, 2011, as the deadline for completing approval of either a revised multi-species HCP, or terminating the 1995 HCP and implementing a “take-avoidance” forest management plan to protect threatened and endangered species within the Elliott State Forest. Forest management plans utilizing a take- avoidance approach are currently being applied on all other state-owned forestland managed by the ODF. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The 2011 draft plan uses ODF take-avoidance policies to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act. The draft plan has a range of expected outcomes for three different forest stand types; designates portions of the forest as conservation areas; protects streams; and retains live trees, snags and downed wood to benefit wildlife over time in harvested areas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The 2011 draft plan represents updates from further staff work and in consideration of the public comments received on the 2010 draft plan during the 60 day public comment period in 2010. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The public comment period begins May 4 and ends August 1, 2011. It begins the Board of Forestry’s rulemaking process on the 2011 draft plan, which includes two public hearings. Public hearings on the draft plan are scheduled on July 19 in North Bend and July 20 in Roseburg. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>July 19, 2011 – North Bend Public Library, <span style='color:black'>1800 Sherman Avenue</span>, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>July 20, 2011 – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 4192 North Umpqua Highway, Roseburg, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The hearing locations are 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 the Oregon Department of Forestry at 541-267-1740. Public comments along with staff responses and recommendations will be provided to the Board of Forestry and State Land Board for review prior to final plan approval. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>The Draft 2011 Elliott State Forest Management Plan is available online: </span><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/elliott.shtml#Forest_Management_Plan"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/elliott.shtml#Forest_Management_Plan</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Comments may be addressed to the State Forests Planning Specialist, Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street, OR 97310, sent to </span><a href="mailto:ODFStateForestsComments@odf.state.or.us"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>ODFStateForestsComments@odf.state.or.us</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>, or via FAX to 503-945-7376.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Written comments on the plan must be received by 5:00 pm, August 1, 2011. <span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The Elliott State Forest became Oregon’s first state forest when acquired in 1930, named for Francis Elliott, the first State Forester of Oregon. <span style='color:black'>The State Land Board owns its common school lands, while the Oregon Department of Forestry manages the state forest through an agreement with the State Land Board and Department of State Lands. Timber harvest revenues, minus the cost of management, go to the Common School Fund to support the state’s 197 K-12 public school districts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The Oregon Department of Forestry manages 821,000 acres of forests in Oregon for the environmental, social and economic benefit of Oregonians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Oregon Department of Forestry <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>www.oregon.gov/ODF/</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Common School Fund Backgrounder <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="www.oregon.gov/ODF/AGENCY_AFFAIRS/docs/Common_School_Fund_2011BG.pdf"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>www.oregon.gov/ODF/AGENCY_AFFAIRS/docs/Common_School_Fund_2011BG.pdf</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Oregon Department of State Lands<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="www.oregonstatelands.us/"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>www.oregonstatelands.us/</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Common School Fund<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.oregonstatelands.us/DSL/DO/aboutcsf.shtml"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>http://www.oregonstatelands.us/DSL/DO/aboutcsf.shtml</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>www.oregonstatelands.us/DSL/DO/aboutcsf.shtml</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>###<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Kevin Weeks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Public Information Officer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Oregon Department of Forestry<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Agency Affairs Office<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>(503) 945-7427 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>