Fire Season Readiness, June 7

An overview of fire season readiness and the 2017 fire forecast will lead the agenda when the Oregon Board of Forestry meets in Salem on June 7. The meeting is open to the public and a public comment period is on the agenda. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., and run through approximately 2 p.m., with an Executive Session following and scheduled to end at approximately 3 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Administration Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St., in Salem. Agenda items include: * Fire Season Readiness and Forecast — An overview of resource readiness and a weather outlook for the upcoming 2017 fire season; * Approval of the Forest Protection District’s 2018 Fiscal Budgets and Rates — Requesting approval of the Forest Protection District’s 2018 fiscal budgets and rates; * Fire Prevention Rule Making — Update on the public hearing and seek permission to promulgate the draft fire prevention rules; * Voluntary Efforts by Forest Landowners to Restore Salmon Habitat and Watersheds in the Oregon Coast Range — A summary of voluntary restoration projects that have been completed by forest landowners over the past 20 years to recover salmon and restore watersheds in the Oregon Coast Range, and results from an online survey that asked forest landowners about their opinions and understanding of voluntary measures associated with the Oregon Plan; * Hearings before the Board of Forestry — Landowners in Clatsop and Crook counties have appealed their addition to the forest patrol assessment roll and have requested a hearing before the Board; * Executive Session — As the last item on the agenda, the board will meet in executive session to confer with legal counsel regarding the Board’s rights and duties related to current litigation likely to be filed pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute 192.660(2)(h); Agenda materials are available at www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/BOFMeetings.aspx. 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 in advance, at 503-945-7200. The Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. More information about the Board is available at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/AboutBOF.aspx.