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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Private Forests News subscribers-<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>State Forester Doug Decker provided this update report Tuesday to ODF staff. Main messages include information about potential workforce impacts in the current budget, focusing on cost efficiency, and honoring the life and commitment of a member of ODF’s wildland fire family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Kevin Weeks<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Oregon Department of Forestry<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>* * * * * * * * * * <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello –<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We’re busy on many fronts as this spring progresses, and I thought I’d pass along a few updates and reflections.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Reductions outlined to balance the current budget. </b> As part of ongoing efforts to keep the state’s budget in balance, the Legislature made a $28 million General Fund reduction during its February session, to be implemented in specific ways. In particular, the Legislature directed that agencies reduce the number of managers, and make reductions in public affairs and related contracting expenditures. These instructions reflect legislators’ interest in fundamental changes in the structure and operation of state government.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have submitted our plan for achieving ODF’s share of the reduction—about $313,000 in Fire and $53,000 in Private Forests—to the Legislative Fiscal Office.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In Fire, reflecting the specific direction we have received, this plan would involve elimination of three management positions. We on the Executive Team highly value the dedication and expertise of ODF’s staff, and if directed to make these reductions, will make every effort to support affected employees.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In Private Forests, you may recall that we’re responding to the current budget challenges with a measured, judicious approach to rebuilding following earlier reductions. We’re continuing with this strategy, achieving the savings required in the new plan by not filling a half-time supervisory position that was included in the restoration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our reduction plan also continues to hold vacant a position in our Public Affairs Program.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Legislature’s Emergency Board, which handles budget matters between sessions, will meet in May, and will receive a report from the Legislative Fiscal Office on agencies’ plans for achieving the reductions ordered in February. Any actual changes to our budget would be implemented no sooner than July 1.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our plan clearly describes the consequences of the reductions—including lost capacity to enforce the Forest Practices Act and greater risk of fires escaping initial attack to grow large, costly and damaging—for the Legislature’s use in evaluating our plan. We’re also sharing this information with our landowner partners and other stakeholders.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the next steps in the process.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Spending carefully – a case in point.</b> In addition to these specific budget reduction plans, we continue with our disciplined approach to all spending, seeking every opportunity to focus on priorities and to accomplish our work as efficiently and effectively as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our annual Incident Management Team conference, held the first week of April, provides an excellent example. The conference was shortened by one day, the number of invitees was reduced, and some tasks originally planned for the conference are being addressed in other ways. In its revised format, the conference achieved its primary purposes and, as always, proved valuable as a forum for planning and information-sharing ahead of fire season. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Many thanks to the planning team and all who helped in working with limited resources to build a successful event.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A thank-you also to the many employees who serve on our incident management teams. Your work and commitment throughout the summer are critical to our success.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Honoring a life lost.</b> As you may know, one of our seasonal firefighters, Justin Fraijo of Colton, died March 31 in a boating accident. He was just 21, but had earned the respect and affection of his colleagues during his five seasons with us, and as a volunteer with the Colton Fire Department. His memorial service brought more than 1,000 people to Colton High School on April 7th.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our agency was well represented, in particular by the fire crew and others who knew Justin. The engine that he had driven led a long procession of vehicles from many agencies, honoring him in the finest tradition. His co-workers and supervisors in the Molalla unit have worked tirelessly to support the family while grieving this loss themselves, and were deeply involved in arranging the memorial. To each of you, a heartfelt thanks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Travis Medema, Deputy Chief of Fire Protection, attended the ceremony and spoke on behalf of the Department. Afterwards, he shared his observations about the memorial, which I wanted to pass along to you. Travis writes:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>“Justin was an exceptional young man. The Department stood with friends, co-workers and the community to honor his life and accomplishments, and that brought a sincere sense of comfort to the family. I’ve never been so proud to be a part of an organization with such compassionate employees and such a deep sense of community.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Travis couldn’t have said it better. I believe all of us share his pride. Whether it’s working through a time of loss or rising to the work you do every day on behalf of Oregonians and our forests, your work is appreciated.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Take care, and stay safe.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>____________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Director, Oregon Department of Forestry<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Oregon Department of Forestry<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2600 State Street, Salem OR 97301<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/">http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>