| Oregon Forest Cluster Strategy Project |
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| Purpose |
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Oregon's forest cluster faces fierce global competition and Oregon is losing wood products manufacturing facilities for a variety of reasons. The forest cluster may soon no longer be able to significantly contribute to rural economies; provide the people, equipment, and wood products market access necessary to maintain the economic viability of private forestland ownership; or provide the infrastructure needed to restore overstocked forests susceptible to uncharacteristic wildfire and forest health risks. In the midst of this crisis, some positive steps have been taken, but the State of Oregon currently lacks consensus on a policy framework for a statewide forest cluster economic development strategy and institutional capacity to implement such a strategy. Many opportunities exist to revitalize and enhance this industry's contribution to the sustainable growth of Oregon's economy. However, the window of opportunity is short, and time is of the essence.
In November, 2007, the chairs of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission, Oregon Board of Forestry, Oregon Forest Resources Institute Board, and Dean of the Oregon State University College of Forestry/Director of the Oregon Forest Research Laboratory signed a joint resolution to set Oregon on a path to craft a comprehensive new forest cluster economic development strategy. The resolution directs the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD), Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI), and the Oregon State University College of Forestry/Oregon Forest Research Laboratory (OSU) to work together to recommend a strategy and also recommend how best to build the organizational capacity within state government to play its role in successfully carrying out the strategy. The goal and objectives for the proposed strategy are provided in the resolution. An accompanying memorandum of agreement signed by the four agency directors provides more details on the actions to be accomplished.
Joint Resolution [PDF; xx pages; 1,217 KB]
Memorandum of Agreement [PDF; xx pages; 1,698 KB]
"Forest Cluster" defined
“Forest cluster” means firms and organizations that support production of and benefits from primary and secondary wood products and a broad spectrum of forest ecosystem services and includes geographically concentrated and interconnected economic activities and linkages to customers and suppliers. Organizations engaged in forest resource management, education, and research are also considered part of the forest cluster.
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| Interagency Team |
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An interagency team, comprised of individuals with agencies who are signatories of the resolution and memorandum of agreement, have been meeting to implement the provisions of the resolution and the agreement. Summaries of meeting discussions are included in the next section on project status reports.
Meetings of the interagency team are open to the public.
Upcoming Meetings
The Core Team wil hold its next regular meeting on Monday, October 5, from 1-4 p.m..
On Friday, October 16, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. the team will meet again to focus on Memorandum of Agreement revision and state government capacity and organization related to forest cluster economic development support.
Both meetings will be at the Oregon Department of Forestry's Salem Headquarters and open to the public. A meeting agenda will be made available prior to each meeting.
Members
Karen Goddin, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department
Chris Claflin, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department
Dana Shannon, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department
Mike Cloughesy, Oregon Forest Resources Institute
Scott Leavengood, Oregon State University
Chris Knowles, Oregon State University
Eric Hansen, Oregon State University
Gary Lettman, Oregon Department of Forestry
David Morman, Oregon Department of Forestry
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| Project Status |
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The interagency team continues to refine a work plan listing the specific tasks called for by the joint resolution and memorandum of agreement.
Draft Recommendations/Strategy
Draft Oregon Forest Cluster Economic Development Strategy - Executive Summary (Draft dated November 19, 2008) [PDF; 3 pages; 653 KB]
Draft Forest Cluster Economic Development Strategy - Federal Forest Restoration (Draft dated November 19, 2008) [PDF; 4 pages; 197 KB]
Draft Forest Cluster Economic Development Strategy - Forest Cluster Vitality (Draft dated November 19, 2008) [PDF; 5 pages; 231 KB]
Draft Forest Cluster Economic Development Strategy - Forestry Workforce (Draft dated November 20, 2008) [PDF; 4 pages; 132 KB]
Project Status Reports/Meeting Notes
Discussions of the interagency team and information on project status are included in each of the status reports.
- June 15, 2009: Meeting Notes [PDF; 4 pages; 160 KB]
- March 16, 2009: Meeting Notes [PDF; 4 pages; 146 KB]
- January 27, 2009: Meeting Notes [PDF; 3 pages; 106 KB]
- November 18, 2008: Meeting Notes [PDF; 3 pages; 98 KB]
- October 10, 2008: Meeting Notes [PDF; 3 pages; 82 KB]
- September 24, 2008: Meeting Notes [PDF; 5 pages; 160 KB]
- July 29, 2008: Meeting Notes/Status Report #5 [PDF; 3 pages; 147 KB]
- April 15, 2008: Meeting Notes/Status Report #4 [PDF; 4 pages; 234 KB]
- March 7, 2008: Meeting Notes/Status Report #3 [PDF; 4 pages; 203 KB]
- February 8, 2008: Status Report #2 [PDF; 5 pages; 290 KB]
- January 28, 2008: Status Report #1 [PDF; 10 pages; 436 KB]
Other Information
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| Advisory Committee and Other Public Involvement |
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Clearly, the Oregon Forest Cluster Economic Development Strategy must incorporate the wisdom in Oregon’s private sector. The joint resolution calls for the formation of advisory committees to assist in the development of strategy recommendations. Further details on the formation of advisory committees and other public involvement opportunities for this project will be posted here in the near future.
Draft Charter for a Forest Cluster Economic Development Strategy Advisory Committee (April 3, 3, 2008) [PDF; 3 pages; 214 KB]
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| Learn more . . . |
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You can find out more about the Oregon Forest Cluster Economic Development Strategy project by contacting:
David Morman, Director
Forest Resource Planning Program
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street
Salem, OR 97310
PH: 503-945-7413
FAX: 503-945-7490
E-MAIL: dmorman@odf.state.or.us
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