The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announces the 2013 Operators of the Year and Merit Award recipients for responsible, innovative, proactive forest work that protects natural resources. Oregon’s Board of Forestry established the awards program to recognize people and companies that consistently meet or exceed the Oregon Forest Practices Act requirements, which include: * Responsible harvesting; * Replanting after harvest; * Protecting streamside areas; * Building and maintaining roads to protect streams; * Protecting and providing wildlife and fish habitat, and * Preserving and protecting our water quality. The three Regional Forest Practices Committees each select an Operator of the Year and may also give Merit Awards. Private Forests Division Chief Peter Daugherty said, “These are the best of the many operators in Oregon who regularly go beyond the letter of the law to protect natural resources. We’re pleased to honor this exemplary work.” Lone Rock Logging – Southwest Operator of the Year – Roseburg – Lone Rock Logging Co. won the Southwest Operator of the Year Award for 20 years of stream improvement and fish habitat restoration work along King Creek. Lone Rock partnered with the Oregon Department of Transportation, Lone Rock Timber Co. (landowner), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coos Bay BLM, Coquille Watershed Association, National Marine Fisheries Service, Coquille High School natural resource science classes, Coos Curry Electric, Oregon State Parks, Coos County Roads, and the community. This collaborative team improved roads, reduced runoff, improved fish habitat, and protected water quality. Tuch Koreiva, a Stewardship Forester, nominated Lone Rock for this honor. Before Lone Rock’s stream improvement the stream was impassable to fish. Lone Rock’s harvest and stream improvement on King Creek resulted in over seventy spawning fish pairs within two years after initial improvements. “Lone Rock’s crew would actively engage and ask questions” about how to exceed the Forest Practices Act rules, Koreiva said. All nominees exceeded the Forest Practices requirements and improved Oregon’s forests, fish and wildlife habitat, fire safety needs, and water quality. The Committees gave Merit Awards for excellent work to: 4. Western Pacific Tree Service – Brookings; 5. Weyerhauser – Coos Bay. The winners will be recognized during the statewide meeting of Associated Oregon Loggers in Eugene on January 16, during the Oregon Logging Conference in February, and at the Board’s March 5 meeting in Salem.
