SALEM, Ore. – An Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) state forests advisory group will meet on Friday, June 21 in Newport.

The State Forests Advisory Committee will meet from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 21, in the conference room at the Holiday Inn Express Inn and Suites, 135 SE 32nd St., Newport 97365.  Topics on the agenda include an overview of the Annual Operation Plan (AOP) comments and responses, as well as updates on the Northwest State Forest Management Plan revision and Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan processes, legislative developments, Workforce Futuring (internal State Forests Division restructuring), and fire season predictions. The public will have the opportunity to provide comment.

The meeting agenda is posted at http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/SFAC.aspx. The meeting 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 prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7427.

SFAC’s role

The State Forests Advisory Committee (SFAC) includes citizens and representatives of timber, environmental and recreation groups. SFAC provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and offer advice and guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. The plan provides guidance for managing 616,000 acres within the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam State Forests, and several scattered state-owned forest tracts in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and Lane counties through a balanced approach to generate revenue while prioritizing environmental and social benefits.