ODF responds to comments and finalizes state forests implementation plans
Salem, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) finalized its Implementation Plans that describe revisions for the Astoria, Forest Grove, Tillamook, North Cascade, West Oregon, and Western Lane (including the Veneta and Southwest units) State Forests districts following a 30-day comment period that concluded March 21.
The department received 28 different comments with many addressing multiple issues. The main areas public comments addressed were the draft Western State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan; forest management; forest health; wildlife; carbon storage and climate change; recreation, education and interpretation; and roads.
The comments received have been summarized, and the department’s responses to comments and a summary of changes made to the plans from comments can be found in this summary document.
“Although we do not have the resources to directly respond to each individual commenter, we do read and consider each one, and then summarize and group them into common areas to better address the comments received,” said Mike Wilson, State Forests Division Chief. “We value the public process and comments we receive are the basis for modifications to our proposed plans.”
State forests provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to Oregonians, and are managed under long-range forest management plans, mid-range implementation plans, and annual operations plans. Implementation plans describe forest management activities such as timber harvest targets, road construction and maintenance, reforestation and young stand management, recreation, aquatic habitat restoration, and protection strategies for species of concern.
Implementation Plans typically cover a 10-year period. However, these revisions to the current Implementation Plans extends through fiscal year 2027 and maintains current forest management plan requirements, updates new information on the district land base and forest resources, clarifies timber harvest targets, and incorporates the components of the draft Habitat Conservation Plan in order to cover the potential Habitat Conservation Plan approval timeline, the new Forest Management Plan and new Implementation Plan development timelines.
Next up for state forest management are the annual operations plans that determine and describe individual timber sale locations and other forest activities for the next fiscal year. That public comment period is scheduled to start April 18.
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