SILVERTON, Oregon — The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene April 12-13 in Silverton, Oregon. 

On April 12, commissioners will tour the north end of Silver Falls State Park where an expansion project is planned that will add more campsites and a new hiking trail. A training session will follow from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Smith Creek meeting room at the Silver Falls Conference Center at 20022 Silver Falls Hwy SE in Sublimity.

On April 13, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. in the Orchid Room at Oregon Garden Resort, 895 W. Main St. in Silverton, to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A business meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will be open to the public.

Anyone may attend in person or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting. The business meeting includes time for informal public comment related to any items not on the agenda. Registration is required to speak at the meeting at bit.ly/registeraprilcommission. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. April 11 to chris.havel@oprd.oregon.gov. 

The full agenda and supporting documents are posted on the commission web page. Notable requests: 

• Grant property easements to the Oregon Department of Transportation at three parks along I-84 in the Gorge to allow for a culvert maintenance project.
• Accept donation of a 1919 Karavan Log Truck to add to the collection of historic logging equipment at the Collier Memorial State Park Logging Museum in Klamath County.
• Distribute $1.6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to five recreation improvement projects proposed by state, tribal and local governments. 
• Begin the process of updating the Oregon Administrative Rule governing how the state issues archaeological permits before a person can excavate an archaeological site on public or private land.

Anyone needing special accommodations to join the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance at denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0719. People who plan to present oral testimony are asked to email a copy of their statement to Warburton in advance.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.