ODF release – SALEM, Ore. – Three logging firms representing southwest, northwest and eastern Oregon have been chosen as Operators of the Year for 2021. The Oregon Board of Forestry will honor the recipients virtually at its Jan. 5 meeting in Salem. The awardees are: Northwest Oregon – All Around Logging, LLC of Stayton in Marion County; Southwest Oregon – Plikat Logging of Winston in Douglas County; Eastern Oregon – H Timber Contracting of Hines in Harney County. Regional Forest Practices committees select the operators of the year and merit award recipients from among nominees sent in by landowners, ODF staff and others. The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, protect natural resources at a level that goes above and beyond requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act. That law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting. The awards honor operators who consistently meet or exceed Forest Practices Act regulations. Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and five Merit Award winners can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx ODF Forest Resources Division Interim Chief Josh Barnard said, “This year’s honorees represent innovation to protect water quality, care in harvesting that leaves an overcrowded forest in a safer, healthier state, and helping others begin to recover in the wake of devastating wildfire. They have shown an outstanding ability to meet landowner objectives while exercising extraordinary care and diligence in challenging harvesting situations. From protecting streams while logging where it rains 90 inches a year to carefully removing fire-ravaged trees from a beloved family campground, we’re pleased to recognize the leadership and community spirit these operators have shown.” Southwest Oregon – Plikat Logging was recognized as Operator of the Year for Southwest Oregon. The Winston-based firm is owned by Wally Plikat. The firm took on a difficult operation on a unit in Douglas County that bordered a busy state highway and had two different utility powerlines running through it as well as a fish-bearing stream and wetlands. Excellent communication and coordination with utilities during logging prevented any damage to powerlines, avoiding disruptions to customers. Thoughtful selection of access roads and timing more logging at night also avoided traffic delays on the bordering highway. Felling parallel to the stream and choosing landing sites carefully also helped preserve intact the buffer zone protecting the stream and wetlands. The Southwest Regional Forest Practices Committee also recognized with an Award of Merit Blaylock, Inc., a logging firm owned by Fred Blaylock of Coquille in Coos County.
