SALEM, Ore.—The meeting schedules for two of the rules advisory committees convened by the Oregon Department of Forestry will change starting September 30.
The rules advisory committees on the wildland-urban interface boundary criteria and statewide wildfire risk mapping previously met in separate sessions. The committees will be meeting jointly so members of both groups better understand how and where their input fits into the rulemaking process.
All meetings are scheduled on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be conducted via Zoom unless announced otherwise. The first is set for September 30. Additional meetings are scheduled for October 14, October 28, November 18, December 9, December 16, January 13, January 27, and February 10.
All meetings are open to the public and have opportunities for public comment. To access the meeting, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odf/board/pages/rac.aspx for the Zoom links. You can also sign up to receive meeting reminders and agendas. Written comment or questions about any aspect of the implementation of Senate Bill 762 may be submitted by email at any time to sb762.rulemaking@oregon.gov.
A post-meeting recording will be posted on the ODF YouTube channel. For special accommodations, please contact ODF Public Affairs at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at forestryinformation@oregon.gov.
Background: Senate Bill 762 is comprehensive legislation passed with bipartisan support that will provide more than $220 million to help Oregon modernize and improve wildfire preparedness through three key strategies: creating fire-adapted communities, developing safe and effective response, and increasing the resiliency of Oregon's landscapes. The bill is the product of years of hard work by the Governor's Wildfire Council, the Legislature, and state agencies.
The legislation provides direction and investment to many state agencies. For the Board of Forestry and the Department of Forestry the bill, among other things, provides legislative direction regarding the wildland-urban interface; statewide fire risk mapping; prescribed fire; directed the Department to review and clarify the enforcement of rules pertaining to forestland; baseline standards for unprotected and under-protected lands in Oregon; and establishes grant programs to improve forest restoration and resiliency.