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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%'>Oregon Department of Forestry – NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%'>Public hearings scheduled on conservation area label for state forestlands <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>February 13, 2013<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 Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has scheduled public hearings on a change to state administrative rules regarding how state forestlands are classified.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The proposed rule refines language within ODF’s Forest Land Management Classification System (Oregon Administrative Rule 629-035-0055) to add the </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>classification</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'> of “High Value Conservation Areas” within state forest management plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The intent is to more clearly organize and display – on land use maps and in data systems, for example – areas of state-owned forests that are currently managed with a conservation emphasis. The rule change seeks to affirm state forests’ current contributions to conservation. No changes to projected harvest levels or designations of additional conservation areas are proposed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Currently, the Forest Land Management Classification System</span> <span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>places all state-owned forest land into one of three types: General Stewardship, Focused Stewardship or Special Stewardship, with subclasses assigned for the specific forest resource or uses that require a Focused Stewardship or Special Stewardship classification.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The proposed change would divide the Special Stewardship classification into 1) Special Use and 2) High Value Conservation Areas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Current language places lands that are managed with a conservation emphasis into subclasses according to specific attributes -- such as wildlife habitat or aquatic/riparian habitat -- or designates lands where timber harvest would be impractical or would put natural resources at risk due to steep slopes, rocky soils or other characteristics. Under the proposed change, all of these lands would be grouped in the new High Value Conservation Area classification. The Special Use category would contain lands with specific uses, such as </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>recreation sites, </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>rock quarries or power line rights-of-way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Public hearings are scheduled as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Cannon Beach</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'> – Tuesday March 12 at the Community Hall, 207 North Spruce beginning at 6:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Hillsboro</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'> – Wednesday March 13 at the Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 Brookwood Parkway, beginning at 6:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>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 by calling the Department of Forestry at 503-945-7427. Public comments along with staff responses and recommendations will be provided to the Board of Forestry for review prior to final rule adoption, which is anticipated in June 2013. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The proposed rule revision applies to all Board of Forestry-owned lands—the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam state forests in northwestern Oregon, the Gilchrist and Sun Pass state forests east of the Cascades, and scattered small parcels throughout Oregon. The revised land classification system would also apply to the Elliott State Forest near Coos Bay, although the Elliott’s forest management plan already includes designated conservation areas as one strategy to achieve overall plan objectives. Most of the Elliott is under jurisdiction of the State Land Board, made up of the governor, state treasurer and secretary of state. An agreement is in place under which the Department of Forestry provides management.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The draft rule language is available for review on the Oregon Department of Forestry web site at: <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/FLMCS-Rulemaking.aspx">http://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/FLMCS-Rulemaking.aspx</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Written comments on the proposed amended rule are being accepted through April 5, 2013, and may be sent to ODF through several routes:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Email to -- <a href="mailto:ODFStateForestsComments@odf.state.or.us">ODFStateForestsComments@odf.state.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Fax to -- (503) 945-7376 Attn: John Barnes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Standard mail to --<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>John Barnes, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, 2600 State Street Building D, Salem OR 97310.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>The Oregon Department of Forestry manages more than 800,000 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-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>###<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a name="OLE_LINK1"></a><a name="OLE_LINK295"></a><a name="OLE_LINK296"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="OLE_LINK339"></a><a name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a name="OLE_LINK4"></a><a name="OLE_LINK284">Kevin Weeks<o:p></o:p></a></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>