SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet virtually on Oct. 6 and 7 for a public meeting and planning retreat. Both days will be livestreamed. In compliance with Gov. Kate Brown’s directive on social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, both of these public meetings will be virtual. The meeting agenda includes: State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) update, summary of feedback received from the county and stakeholder engagement process, and the board’s decision on proceeding with the HCP into the National Environmental Policy Act process. An update from the Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee and Council of Forest Trust Land Committee Commissioners. View the agenda for additional topics to be discussed at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/board/pages/bofmeetings.aspx. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, the Board will have a full-day agenda, with limited time scheduled for live testimony. The meeting will be livestreamed and public comment will be accepted. The live testimony is reserved for the Board decision on the HCP. All written testimony received by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, will be distributed to the Board for review and consideration. Any testimony submitted after that window of time will not be entered into the record but will be sent to the Board as a general comment after the meeting concludes. Written testimony can be submitted before the meeting to BoardofForestry@oregon.gov. The live testimony instructions, board packet, and livestream option are available at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/board/pages/bofmeetings.aspx. You must sign up to provide live testimony. Sign up opens on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at 8 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. that day. To sign up, complete this form for verbal testimony. A confirmation email will be sent with a timeslot and Zoom login instructions, as long as available time slots exist. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, the Board will hold two executive sessions. The first executive session will be for the purpose of considering information or records that are exempt from disclosure by law, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(f). The second executive session will be for the purpose of reviewing the State Forester’s Annual Performance, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(i). The executive sessions will be conducted virtually. Members of the news media wishing to remotely attend one of these sessions 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 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200.
