Gov. Brown outlines progress, goals of timber-conservation negotiations
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) Gov. Kate Brown kicked off the first in a series of negotiation sessions this month as part of a groundbreaking agreement between forestry representatives, conservation leaders and fishing organizations that aims to propose new protections for sensitive aquatic species on over 10 million acres of private forestland in Oregon, which could be formalized in a statewide Habitat Conservation Plan.
“In the past year –– despite the disruptions of a global pandemic and historic wildfire devastation which made face-to-face meetings very difficult –– this group has made steady progress in establishing common ground,” Brown said. “Together, we can build a future for Oregon with healthy forests, fish, and wildlife and economic growth for our forest industry and rural communities at the same time.”
Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Oregon land owners are scrambling to remove trees burned in the September wildfires before decay sets in, clear way for replanting
Some stands incinerated, but other scorched trees still hold some value
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – About 360,000 acres of private forestlands were among the million acres that burned in Oregon during the Labor Day wildfires. Over the next year or so, Oregonians can expect to see trucks carrying scorched timber off private forestlands and bringing tree seedlings and planting crews onto them.
Assessments show the wind-driven fires burned unevenly across the landscape, the Oregon Department of Forestry said in a news release Thursday, which continues below:
Originally published on December 30, 2020 4:06 pm
Both regulatory changes are the result of amendments made to the state’s Forest Practices Act, and were supported by both conservation and timber industry groups, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Starting January 1, 2021, the buffers for helicopter pesticide spraying must be increased to 300 feet around school campuses and inhabited dwellings. Sprayers must maintain a 75-foot buffer from streams containing fish or which have domestic uses, and 50 feet from other surface water sources. The pesticide buffer changes came from SB 1602, which the state legislature passed during their June, 2020 special session.
“Most landowners opt for some form of chemical application to control vegetation,” says Jim Gersbach, a spokesperson with the Oregon Department of Forestry. He says herbicides are sprayed on recently harvested timber land with newly planted trees to allow conifers to out-compete other species. SB 1602 appl
Amanda Astor
In June, Oregon legislators passed a landmark bill developed collaboratively between the timber industry and environmental groups that adds protections to forest ecosystems: SB 1602. Not only did it pass during a special session, but it also passed nearly unanimously – with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Oregonians, including those of us who work in the forest sector, are now on a better path that leaves behind the timber wars of the past.
It’s no surprise that Oregon has been on the forefront of progressive forest management and innovation for decades. In 1971, Oregon developed its flagship Forest Practices Act (FPA), the first of its kind in the nation. The FPA was intentionally designed to be frequently revised to incorporate peer-reviewed science and new techniques as they develop. Such revisions have occurred nearly 40 times since its inception with input from professional foresters and sci