The Operator of the Year award recognizes operators performing above and beyond in carrying out the Forest Practices Act. The criteria includes requirements such as re-planting, sound construction and maintenance of forest roads, and protection of stream buffers and habitat for fish and wildlife. Regional Forest Practices committees (RFPC), advisory groups made up of forest landowners and other citizens, will meet in late November and early December to select forestry professionals for the Operator of the Year award. Public meetings will be held in each region throughout the state where award recipients will be announced. At each location, the committees will also discuss proposed bald eagle rulemaking changes. Nov. 29, 11:00 a.m. — noon, the Northwest RFPC will meet via conference call at the Oregon Department of Forestry, Sun Pass Room, 2600 State Street, Salem. The Northwest region Operator of the Year nominees are: -Mike Pihl Logging of Vernonia; -Wayne Stone Logging of Sandy; -Rick Krohn, Western Helicopter, of Newberg, and Mark Gourley, Starker Forests, of Corvallis. Nov. 30, 10:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m., the Southwest RFPC will meet at the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Department of Forestry NE Airport Rd, Roseburg. The Southwest region Operator of the Year nominee is: -Plikat Logging of Camas Valley. Dec. 1, 11:00 a.m. — 2:30 p.m, the Eastern Oregon RFPC will meet at the Crook County Public Library, 175 NW Meadow Lakes Drive, Prineville. Eastern Oregon region Operator of the Year nominees are: -Brad Clemens, B & M Timber LLC, Burns; -Cameron Newell, B & C Logging, Inc., Baker City. Please note additional agenda item for discussion specific to Eastern Oregon location: RFPC will consider guidance for reforestation after fire in eastern Oregon. Based on recommendations from each Regional Committee, the Board of Forestry will present the Operator of the Year Awards at its March 2017 meeting. Regional Forest Practices Committees advise the board on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. The committees were created by 1971 amendments to the Forest Practices Act. Additional information about Regional Forest Practices Committees is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/RFPC.aspx . All committee meetings are open to the public. For questions about accessibility or special accommodations, please call (503) 945-7502. Forests are among Oregon’s most valued resources, providing a balance of environmental, economic and social benefits.
