Operator of the Year Honors in Coos Co., Jan. 18

The 2017 Operator of the Year awards go to Lane Parry Forestry Consulting of Baker City, Denali Logging of Coos Bay, and Morisse Logging of Astoria. The Board of Forestry gives the Operator of the Year Awards to recognize those who conduct forestry work that goes above and beyond the laws to protect natural resources.  To encourage sound forestry, the board honors operators who consistently meet or exceed the Forest Practices Act. The law requires people to: replant forests; harvest responsibly; protect and enhance habitat; reduce landslide risks; and protect streams and water quality.  Lane Parry Forestry Consulting Inc. earned the Eastern Oregon Operator of the Year award for helping landowners after the 2015 wildfires. Denali Logging Inc. earned the Southwest Operator of the Year award for its diligent planning and harvest. While doing forestry work, Denali protected streams, stream buffers and fish habitat. Denali also reduced impacts to the public. Their careful planning included listening to and working with neighbors. Throughout the harvest Denali kept the electricity on and the roads open to meet the neighbors’ needs. (Video: https://youtu.be/U723vLHHOSw)  Morisse Logging Inc. earned the Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year award for protecting streams and improving fish habitat. The Board of Forestry will present the Operator of the Year Awards at its March 7 meeting. The Associated Oregon Loggers, the Oregon Logging Conference and the Oregon Small Woodland Association will also provide special recognition. In 1971, Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act, the nation’s model forest management laws which focuses on forest operations and protecting natural resources. Many states followed Oregon’s lead. The Act remains current through updates based on science, facts and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management.