ODFW release – SALEM, Ore. – The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Advisory Committee will hold its second meeting on Aug. 9 from noon. to 2:00 p.m. The meeting is online and members of the public are welcome to attend. For a full agenda and virtual login information about the meeting, please visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/habitat/PFA/meetings/index.html The Committee will be meeting to discuss the upcoming PFA Mitigation Grant program priorities, discuss program updates, and receive presentations from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service on regional priorities. The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Fund was established in the 2022 Legislative Session (Senate Bills 1501 and 1502; House Bill 4055) as an outcome of the landmark agreement between timber and conservation groups to recommend changes to the Forest Practices Act. The Private Forest Accord allows for forest practices to proceed with increased protections for natural resources, including the development of a habitat conservation plan (HCP) for aquatic species. The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Fund’s purpose is to fund projects that help aquatic species and habitats covered by the HCP, and is to be administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Learn more about this important effort at the Oregon Department of Forestry’s webpage.
