Revised Forest Fire Prevention Rules, April 17

The Oregon Department of Forestry will hold a public hearing on proposed revisions to fire prevention rules for industrial (logging and other commercial) operations on forestlands. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on April 17 at ODF headquarters in Salem at the following address: Tillamook Room, Building C, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. The proposed revisions clarify existing language and include changes to water supply and delivery, firewatch services and fire tools and extinguishers. Proposed updates will increase fire prevention and preparedness requirements in some areas while reducing requirements in others to account for changes in technology and logging practices. The updates come after a two year examination of the rules by a committee comprised of forest landowners and operators, affiliated organizations and ODF staff. The public is welcome to attend. The hearing location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the hearing. ODF invites public comment on whether other options should be considered for achieving the rule’s substantive goals while reducing the negative economic impact of the rule on business. For more information about attending the hearing or to submit written comments, please contact Sabrina Perez at Sabrina.perez@Oregon.gov. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on April 19. They can also be mailed to: Sabrina Perez, Rules Coordinator, Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. The proposed administrative rulemaking package is available for review at the State Forester’s office, 2600 State Street in Salem or on the ODF website at
www.oregon.gov/ODF/AboutODF/Pages/ProposedLawsRules.aspx.