SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21. The board will hold its July meeting virtually, as state agency offices work toward fully reopening to the public. The virtual format also allows the public to view the meeting and participate statewide without having to travel or assemble indoors. The board’s business agenda includes: State forester recruitment discussion; Committee for Family Forestlands annual report; 2021-2023 wildfire rulemaking overview; Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee testimony; Fire season update; 2021-23 department budget update. View the agenda for this meeting. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s YouTube channel. There will be an opportunity for the public to provide live testimony under the general comment (agenda item 1), the state forester recruitment discussion (agenda item 2), the Committee for Family Forestlands annual report (agenda item 3), and the 2021-2023 wildfire rulemaking overview (agenda item 4) during the meeting. Sign up to provide live testimony is required. Registration is available online and closes Friday, July 16 at 5 p.m. Written testimony may be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day to BoardofForestry@oregon.gov, with the appropriate agenda item number included with the submission. The board will meet in executive session starting at 3:15 p.m. for the purpose of considering information or records that are exempt from disclosure by law, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(f) and conferring with legal counsel regarding the board’s rights and duties related to current litigation, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(h). The executive sessions will also be conducted virtually. Members of the news media who want attend this portion of the meeting can email Public Affairs Director Joy Krawczyk at joy.p.krawczyk@oregon.gov for information. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200. The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base.
