The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its first meeting of the year February 23-24 in Portland, Oregon. On February 23, Commissioners will gather at 10:30 a.m. to participate in workshops and a panel discussion with local park agencies at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Commissioners will attend a reception at the same location that evening at 4 p.m. On February 24, Commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. at the World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, Oregon to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A public business meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. at the same location. The agenda includes several information and action items from agency staff, including requests to: + Award park grants to Oregon counties through the County Opportunity Grant Program, funded by a share of revenue from the Oregon recreational vehicle registration fees. + Designate the Painted Hills State Scenic Bikeway in Wheeler County, and recognize the South Shore Phillips Lake Trail in Baker County as a State Designated Scenic Trail. + Review and act on staff recommendations stemming from an external request to amend rules on the Upper Deschutes State Scenic Waterway. + Adopt an updated Statewide Trails Plan. The draft agenda is online at http://bit.ly/february2016agenda. The full meeting packet will be available by 5 p.m. Friday, February 12. People who plan to present testimony are requested to provide 15 copies of their statement to Commission Assistant Jen Busey at jen.busey@oregon.gov for distribution to the Commissioners before the meeting. Those needing special accommodations to attend should also contact Busey by email, or by calling 503-986-0719, at least three days in advance.
