Gov. John Kitzhaber will address the Board of Forestry about his vision for federal forestland management in Oregon when the panel meets Jan. 8 in Salem. A board subcommittee has developed an action plan intended to serve as a roadmap for federal forest reform, with the aim of increasing the pace and scale of restoration and management across Oregon’s national forests. The full board will consider the plan, which describes a suite of actions including work with the governor, Oregon’s congressional delegation, the state legislature and others, at the Jan. 8 meeting. Other agenda items include: Update on alternative management plans for state-owned forests – Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will present an update on alternative management plans for the State Forests prepared by a board subcommittee. The presentation will also include a final report on alternative revenue sources prepared by ECONorthwest, a consulting firm that specializes in economics, finance and planning. Oregon Values and Beliefs survey – The board will hear a presentation by DHM Research, a Portland-based public opinion research firm, on Oregonians’ values and beliefs related to forestry. 2012 Pole Creek Fire impacts – Staff will present a report on the public health and ecological effects of the Pole Creek Fire, which burned in the Deschutes National Forest. House Bill 3109, passed by the 2013 state legislature, required a report from ODF and the Oregon Health Authority on the impacts of the fire, which burned 26,800 acres and caused smoke problems in and around Sisters. Agency fiscal report – The board will receive an update on the financial status of the department, including the 2013 wildfire season, ODF’s most costly ever. More than 100,000 acres of state-protected forestland burned in 2013, the most in 60 years. Budget and legislative concept development – The board will consider recommendations and principles to guide development of the department’s 2015-17 budget request, and preliminary concepts for bills that may be introduced in the 2015 legislative session. 2014 board work plans – The board will review summaries of draft work plans that in final form will guide its activities in the year ahead. Executive session – At 11:30 a.m. the board will meet in executive session to consult with legal counsel. The session is closed to the public [Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 192.660(2)(h)]. Members of the news media may attend, under provisions of ORS 192.660. Meeting time and location: The Board of Forestry meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Tillamook Room – Administration Building (C), at ODF headquarters, 2600 State St., in Salem. The agenda includes a public comment period shortly after 9 a.m. on general topics. Public comment on specific agenda items will be received as the board takes them up during the day.
