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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_LINK3"></a><a name="OLE_LINK4"></a><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The Oregon Department of Forestry issued this news release today --</span></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%'>Regional Forest Practices Committees meet July 17 in Springfield <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>July 2, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The NW Oregon and SW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees (RFPC) have announced a joint meeting of the two groups for July 17 in Springfield.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law - that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern regions of the state, were created within the Oregon Forest Practices Act in 1971. Under Oregon law, a majority of Regional Forest Practices Committees members are private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The joint meeting of the Northwest/Southwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17 at the USFS Willamette National Forest offices, 3106 Pierce Parkway -- Room 145 in Springfield. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with a public comment period scheduled near the start of the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Reports on the Restoration Plan for the Private Forests Program, including updates on two components mandated by the Oregon Legislature -- establishment of a compliance audit program regarding Forest Practices Act standards, and establishing a program to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the Forest Practices Act. The program’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget will be discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Reports on the Board of Forestry’s direction to begin an evaluation of riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams, including presentation of concepts the Board will review at its July 26 Board meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>A report on the ODF project to implement 2011 House Bill 2165, which includes changes to written plan requirements, including discussion of the rulemaking process, public and industry input and development of rule concepts.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>A demonstration of the Vantage web-based mapping system for forestry data developed to assist ODF.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Members of the public may attend the meeting. The meeting location is 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 503-945-7502.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Security Note – this meeting is held at a secure federal facility. Please check in with the security station at the building’s main western entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Oregon’s forests are among one of the state’s most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic and social benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Additional information about ODF’s Regional Forest Practices Committees is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s web site: </span><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.shtml"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.shtml</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>###</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a name="OLE_LINK339"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1"></a><a name="OLE_LINK295"></a><a name="OLE_LINK296"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2"></a>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>Public 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>