State Forester Cal Mukumoto will be hosting three listening sessions to hear final thoughts from the public prior to making a recommendation to the Board of Forestry on a path forward for completing the draft Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan (FMP) for 640,000 acres of state-managed forestlands in western Oregon.
The Department of Forestry recently shared the results of new modeling estimates of long-term timber harvest, revenue, habitat and carbon storage under the draft plans with the Board of Forestry. The listening sessions are intended to provide the public with an opportunity to share thoughts or concerns specific to this new information with Mukumoto, as he prepares to recommend how to move forward with finalization of both the HCP and FMP.
There will be two in-person listening sessions, one in Eugene and one in Astoria, and one virtual listening session.
In-person:
- Eugene—Jan. 25 at the Lane Events Center, Meeting Room #4, W. 13th Ave.
- Astoria—Jan. 31 at The Loft at the Red Building, 20 Basin St.
For both in-person sessions, doors open for signup at 5 p.m., with the meetings starting at 5:30 p.m. Comments will be taken in the order the speakers’ names appear on the signup sheet.
The virtual meeting will start 1 p.m. on Jan. 29. Advance registration is required and speakers will be called upon in the order they register. A Zoom link and other information on providing comment will be provided by email following registration. More information on the listening sessions is provided on ODF’s website.
Management of state forests is guided by forest management plans that are adopted by the Board of Forestry (OAR 629-035-0030). Forest management plans are designed to provide a full range of social, economic, and environmental outcomes that provide the “greatest permanent value” to all Oregonians (OAR 629-035-0020). The draft HCP is how ODF will ensure compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act while implementing the forest management plan. The current approach of compliance through “take avoidance” is costly and complex. It also eventually results in limited habitat quality and durability, fewer acres available for harvest, greater legal risk, and less financial certainty. The HCP will support the overall goal of the updated FMP by improving certainty around both ESA compliance and timber harvests.
If attending one of the listening sessions is not possible, members of the public can share their thoughts or concerns about the new modeling information with the state forester in writing. All written comments must be received by Feb. 2 to give the state forester the opportunity to read and consider them. Email comments to forestryinformation@odf.oregon.gov or mail them to State Forester Cal Mukumoto, Building B, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310.
Accommodation for people with disabilities, such as special materials, services or assistance, can be arranged by emailing ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at odf.pio@odf.oregon.gov.