The Oregon Board of Forestry will discuss future management approaches for
state-owned forests, hear a wildfire season forecast, and review a concept for a
new Coast Range recreation corridor when it meets in Tillamook on July 26. The
board will tour the Tillamook State Forest on July 27.
Among State Forest-related items on the July 26 agenda, Oregon Department
of Forestry (ODF) staff will recommend that the board more clearly label areas
designated for conservation purposes under current forest management plans.
This conservation-area visibility item is part of the board's ongoing
improvement of its management plans. The board and staff will also review
recommendations and continuing work on other aspects of State Forest management,
including:
- The long-term financial viability of the State Forest management program,
which is funded primarily through a share of timber sale revenues.
- A pathway for exploring alternatives to current management strategies. An
approach under consideration would allocate certain areas primarily for timber
production, and others for management with a conservation emphasis.
- Improvements to the performance measures the board uses to gauge success
in managing the forests to provide a broad range of values to
Oregonians.
The management discussions involve the 615,000 acres of Northwest Oregon
forest that are state-owned, about 2.5 percent of Oregon's forest landbase. The
Tillamook and Clatsop state forests are the most prominent of these
lands.
Wildfire season update
Staff from ODF's Fire Protection program will provide a status update and
outlook on the 2012 wildfire season and ongoing interagency coordination. ODF
works closely with forest landowners and with public agencies to provide fire
protection on about 16 million acres of private and public forests, about half
of Oregon's forested lands.
Riparian protection rule analysis
Private Forests Program staff will present the results of rule analysis
work regarding stream protection standards on small- and medium-sized
fish-bearing streams. The board will be asked to make findings as to whether an
appropriate range of initial alternatives is being considered, including
non-regulatory approaches.
"Rails and Trails" project update
The board will receive an update on a cooperative effort to determine the
feasibility of developing a recreation corridor along a historic rail line in
the northern Coast Range's Salmonberry River canyon. The corridor could
potentially extend from Banks to Tillamook. A steering committee, with
representatives of local and state organizations and government agencies, views
the project as a way to contribute to local economic revitalization through
increased tourism.
Public comment
The meeting is open to the public. During a general comment period at the
beginning, public comment will be received on forestry-related items that are
not included in the agenda. Time will also be provided for comment on specific
agenda items as the board takes them up.
Meeting time and location
The board meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry
Tillamook District office, 5005 Third St., in Tillamook.
Community social
The board will host a social gathering from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 26 at
Koko's Restaurant at Alderbrook Golf Course, 7300 Alderbrook Road, in Tillamook.
Tour time and location
The board field tour of the Tillamook State Forest will begin at 8 a.m. on
July 27 with a briefing at the Tillamook District office. The tour will return
to the office around 4:30 p.m. Members of the public wishing to join the tour
are asked to provide their own lunch and transportation.
To learn more
More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregonforestry.gov. Background information on the July
26 meeting, including staff reports, is available through the 2012 "Meeting
Schedules" link on the website.
Special needs
Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials,
services or assistance can be arranged by calling the department's Public
Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting, 503-945-7200, text
telephone 503-945-7213.
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