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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_LINK4"></a><a name="OLE_LINK3"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%'>Oregon Department of Forestry – NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%'>Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets March 25 in Sisters <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>March 11, 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 Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee will meet on Monday, March 25 at the Sisters office of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), 16721 Pine Tree Lane (off Hwy 126). <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 meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from Noon until 5:00 p.m. with a public comment time 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:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>A review of the March 2013 Board of Forestry meeting, including reports on the ODF project to implement 2011 House Bill 2165, which includes changes to written plan requirements, and the systematic review process underway to advise the Board regarding development of rule language addressing riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Committee for Family Forestlands initiatives regarding forest policy in Eastern Oregon, including plans for a private lands pilot project in Eastern Oregon. This collaborative project in the John Day / Ritter Valley area is designed to preserve forest ecosystems and enhance public benefits from private forests.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>An update on the 2013 Forest Practices Operator of the Year award recognition program.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>Updates on efforts to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the ODF Private Forests program, and development of a compliance audit measuring certain Forest Practices Act standards.<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 503-945-7427.<o:p></o:p></span></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.aspx"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'>www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.aspx</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=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>