SALEM, Ore. – An Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) state forests advisory group will host a tour of forestland in the Santiam State Forest on June 1 and meet on June 2 in Salem, and the meeting will have a virtual option via Zoom.
The public is welcome at both events, hosted by the State Forests Advisory Committee (SFAC). However, RSVP is required for the forest tour. The meeting agenda will be posted at http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/SFAC.aspx.
Tour details
Forest Tour: Meets at 9 a.m. on June 1 at the ODF facility in Lyons, 22965 North Fork Road SE, Lyons, OR 97358. Tour will visit areas in the Santiam State Forest, some affected by 2020 Labor Day fires. RSVP is needed for the forest tour so that attendees can be provided with safety equipment. Tour attendees should provide their own lunch, refreshments and transportation suitable for traveling on forest roads. Please RSVP no later than 5 p.m., May 26 to April Sonnenberg at april.r.sonnenberg@odf.oregon.gov or 503-359-7426.
Meeting details
SFAC meeting: The committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 2, at the ODF Salem Headquarters, Tillamook Room, Building C, 2600 State St. Topics on the agenda include: update on the revisions to state forest Implementation Plans, progress update on the draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Forest Management Plan for western Oregon state forests, a review of the Annual Operations Plans and public comment period and an overview of the Private Forest Accord implementation on state forests. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments virtually or in person at the beginning of the meeting.
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.
The committee’s meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Many of the tour stops are not accessible. 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 accommodation for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at (503) 983-3761