SALEM, Ore. -- Each year the Oregon Department of Forestry invites public comment on Annual Operations Plans (AOPs) -- work plans outlining state forest activities for an upcoming fiscal year. Starting March 19, through 5 p.m. on May 4, ODF invites public comment on proposed district activities for the 2019 fiscal year, which starts on July 1 and ends on June 30, 2019. Additionally, ODF invites public comment on major changes to Implementation Plans and Forest Land Management Classification, as described below.

These plans describe specific activities such as timber sales, resource protection measures, reforestation, road building, stream enhancement and recreation projects that accomplish the current Implementation Plan (IP) objectives. These objectives are designed to reach the goals of long-term Forest Management Plans. As part of this public comment process, ODF reviews biological assessments with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assure federal Endangered Species Act compliance for any sales near Northern spotted owl or marbled murrelet sites.

Concurrent with the AOP public comment period, the Astoria and North Cascade districts are proposing major modifications to their IP landscape designs. The North Cascade District also proposes a major modification to Forest Land Management Classification. The Southwest Oregon District proposes a major modification to its IP harvest type acreage ranges. These modifications are included as appendices in the respective districts' AOP.

The draft annual operations plans are available for review online on ODF's State Forests Management page. Visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Working/Pages/StateForests.aspx and click on Annual Operations Plans.

An online survey is provided for conveniently submitting comments regarding the Annual Operations Plans: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYFF57N

To comment on proposed Implementation Plan or Forest Land Management Classification changes: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S6JFJGT

Online comments are also received through ODF's comment page: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/AboutODF/Pages/Comment.aspx

Comments may also be mailed to: ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310.