| Forestland Classification Steering Committee |
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| Steering Committee Information |
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What
The Forestland Classification Steering Committee has been directed to review the forestland classification system used to categorize Oregon's forest and rangelands for the purpose of wildfire protection, and then recommend needed revisions and improvements. The Oregon Department of Forestry and its partner agencies have other systems of classifying forestlands, such as ty tree-stand type. But the system currently under review by the Forestland Classification Committee pertains solely to the coordination of fire protection for forest and rangeland, and adjacent rural communities.
Formed by the State Forester in late 2006, the 29-member commitee is made up of a broad cross-section of individuals and representatives of organizations that share an interest in protecting the forest resource and the expanding wildland-urban interface. ("Wildland-urban interface" refers to the area where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped land.)
Why
Oregon's landscape has undergone dramatic changes in the more than 40 years since the forestland classification system was established. Increasingly, blazes in wildlands with no fire protection are spreading onto protected forestlands. At the same time, homes in the wildland-urban interface have complicated firefighting and increased wildfire risk in some forested areas. In addition, there are inconsistencies around the state in how the current classification system has been applied. It is the steering committee's job to identify aspects of the system that require updating to accommodate the changed situation on the ground and work to assure consistent application.
How
The committee will seek ideas and suggestions from interested and involved agencies, landowners and the public as it deliberates. The Oregon Department of Forestry will provide historical and technical information, and the Board of Forestry will consult on policy steps needed to implement system improvements recommended by the committee.
When
The steering committee has been tasked with completing a set of recommendations by January 1, 2008. The deadline will enable the Oregon Board of Forestry to consider proposed legislative concepts needed to implement the recommendations in time for the 2009 Oregon legislative session.
More Information
Forestland Classification Steering Committee Introduction [pdf]
Forestland Classification Steering Committee Project Background [pdf]
Forestland Classification Steering Commitee Frequently Asked Questions [pdf]
Forestland Classification Steering Committee Charter [pdf]
Oregon Forestland Classification Act, Administrative Policy for Controlled Burning in Western Oregon, Bulletin No. 12, Oregon State Board of Forestry, 1946 [PDF; 41 pages; 12,633 KB]
Steering Committee Members
Co-Chairs:
Dan Shults, Southern Oregon Area Director, Oregon Department of Forestry
John Buckman, Northeast Oregon District Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry
Members:
Greg Alexander, Southwest Oregon District Unit Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry
Mark Copeland (non-industrial forest landowner)
Mike Dykzeul, Oregon Forest Industries Council
Dan Fink, Clackamas Tree Farm Manager, Longview Fibre
Lee Fledderjohn, Resource Manager, Collins Company
Rick Gibson, Fire Prevention Director, Oregon Department of Forestry
Dean Hansell, Fire District Directors Association
Mark Johnson, Bureau of Land Management
Kevin Kreitman, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
Scot Langton, Deschutes County, Association of County Assessors
Milt Moran, Director of Sales and Logging, Cascade Timber Consulting, Inc.
Alan Nichols, (unban-interface representative; Homeowners Association President)
Paul Nys, (non-industrial forest landowner)
George Ponte, Protection Unit Forester, Central Oregon District, Oregon Department of Forestry
Gil Riddell, Association of Oregon Counties
Dan Ross, Jackson County, Association of County Assessors
John Rounds, Oregon Small Woodlands Association
Randy Simpson, Deputy State Fire Marshsl, Office of the State Fire Marshal
Barte Starker, Exeuctive Vice President, Starker Forests
Jim Stearns, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
Melvin Thornton, District Manager, Douglas Forest Protective Association
Mike Totey, Assistant District Forester - West Oregon District, Oregon Department of Forestry
Teresa Vonn, Fire Program Analyst, Oregon Department of Forestry
Paul Zollezi, (non-industrial forest landowner)
Committee Membership - Printable Document [pdf]
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| Meeting Schedule |
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Meetings of the Forestland Classification Steering Committee are generally scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and held at the Oregon Department of Forestry's Salem Campus, 2600 State Street, Salem, in the Tillamook Conference Room of Building C unless otherwise indicated.
- Tuesday, February 6
- Thursday, March 1, 2007
- Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - 9:30 a.m. - Conference Call Meeting (see meeting announcement for details)
- Wednesday, May 9, 2007
- Thursday, June 7, 2007
- Tuesday, July 10, 2007
- Wednesday, September 26, 2007
- Tuesday, October 16, 2007
(Location TBD)
- Tuesday, November 13, 2007
(Location TBD)
Printable Meeting Schedule
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| Subcommittees |
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The following subcommittees have been formed to do much of the steering committee's initial work. These subcommittees are tasked to:
- Investigate and analyze issues
- Develop recommendations
- Report to the steering committee on progress, including the policy questions that are raised.
Assessments Subcommittee
This subcommittee is charged with working on issues relating to:
- consistent process
- minimizing district differences
- dual assessment consistency (structural exemptions)
- central archiving
Subcommittee members:
Mike Totey, Co-chair
Mike Dykzeul, Co-chair
Mike Robison
Dan Ross
Greg Alexander
Alan Lawver
Tana West
Teresa Vonn
Transistions Lands Subcommittee
(formerly the Non-forest Subcommittee)
This subcommittee is charged with working on the following issues:
- consistency/criteria for providing protection
- consistency/criteria for classification
- lands adjacent to the district
- ODOT and railroad rights-of-way
Subcommittee Members:
George Ponte, Co-chair
Lee Fledderjohann, Co-chair
Milt Moran
Gordon Foster
Dave Fields
Joe Stutler
John Lillicrop
Crait Letz
John Rounds
Tim Deboodt
*additional members to be determined
WUI Classification Subcommittee
This subcommittee is charged with working on issues related to:
- the wildfire protection role in the urban interface
- consistency/criteria for assessing forestland in the wildland-urban interface
- wildland-urban interface classification
Subcommittee members:
Melvin Thornton, Co-chair
Jim Stearns, Co-chair
Alan Nichols
Greg Alexander
Greg Davis
Mary Ellen Holly
Mark Copeland
Lena Tucker
Paul Zolezzi
Tay Robinson
Statute Reorganization Subcommittee
This subcommittee is charged with re-organization/consolidation of related statutes, and with legislative direction.
Subcommittee members:
Rick Gibson, Co-Chair
Teri Glocar
(additional members to be determined)
Tools Group Subcommittee
This subcommittee will be formed later in the process. Their charge will be to develop tools for implementation of committee recommendations.
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| Upcoming Meeting |
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Note: This is a conference call meeting; see the meeting announcment for details |
| Date: |
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 |
| Time: |
9:30 a.m. |
| Location: |
Oregon Department of Forestry |
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Building C - Tillamook Conference Room |
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2600 State Street |
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Salem, OR |
Meeting Materials:
Meeting Announcement (News Release)
Agenda
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| Previous Meetings |
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March 1, 2007
Meeting Materials:
Meeting Announcement (News Release)
Agenda
Meeting Presentations
Meeting Summary
February 6, 2007
Meeting Materials:
Meeting Announcement (News Release)
Agenda
Meeting Presentations
Meeting Summary
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| Learn more. . . |
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For more information on the committee or its work, contact:
Paul Bell, Assistant State Forester
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street
Salem, OR 97310
PH: 503-945-7205
FAX: 503-945-7212
eamil: pbell@odf.state.or.us
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