Date: Nov. 21, 2017

Contact:
Nick Hennemann, Public Affairs Specialist, Salem, 503-910-4311
Kyle Abraham, Private Forests Division, Salem, 503-945-7473

SALEM, Ore.--The Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee will meet Thursday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hood River Inn, 1108 Marina Way, Hood River, and tour areas affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

The agenda includes discussing and recommending an operator to the Oregon Board of Forestry for the Operator of the Year Award. The award recognizes an operator for excellent work that exceeds the Oregon Forest Practices Act natural resource protection laws. The laws require re-planting, maintaining forest roads, and protecting streams and habitat for fish and wildlife.

The northwest and southwest Oregon committees will meet soon to recommend awards for those areas. The board will present the Operator of the Year Awards at its March 2018 meeting.

The committee will also discuss and may take action on these topics:
* Private Forests Division update
* Compliance Audit Report
* Enforcing aerial herbicide use laws (ORS 527.672)
* Eastern Oregon/Siskiyou streamside protection review

This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome. The agenda includes time for public comment at the beginning of the meeting. The meeting space 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 meeting. For more information about attending the meeting please contact Susan Dominique at 503-945-7502.

Regional Forest Practices Committees are advisory groups made up of forest landowners and the public who advise the board on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Additional information about Regional Forest Practices Committees is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/RFPC.aspx.

Forests are among Oregon's most valued resources, providing a balance of environmental, economic and social benefits.

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