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PUBLIC HEARINGS, COMMENT PERIOD SET FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANS

Oregon Department of Forestry News Release
Sept. 18, 2000

Public comment on the draft northwest and southwest forest management plans begins today, and five hearings in late October are scheduled in Portland, Astoria, Tillamook, Salem and Grants Pass to solicit public comment as part of this final review process.

The public comment period will continue through the public hearings until Nov. 3. Comments may be submitted at the hearings, mailed to the Oregon Department of Forestry or recorded on a toll-free phone line. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. Nov. 3

The hearings are part of the administrative rule-making process for the plans, which set long-term direction for 633,000 acres of state-owned forestlands in 12 northwest counties and four southwest counties. The plans seek compatible use of the state forestlands to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits.

These benefits include timber harvesting, habitat conservation and restoration, and recreation. Under the plans, the forestlands will be actively managed - using an approach that mimics nature's mosaic of differing stand types, ranging from young to old forests.

The hearings will be held in:

Portland Oct. 24, 6 to 10 p.m Miller Hall at the World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road	Astoria Oct. 25, 6 to 10 p.m. Chinook Room at the Red Lion Inn 400 Industry	Tillamook Oct. 26, 6 to 10 p.m. Commissioners' Conference Room Tillamook County Courthouse 201 Laurel
Salem Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oregon Department of Forestry's Protection Conference Room (Building 2)	Grants Pass Oct. 30, 1 to 5 p.m. Grants Pass Interagency Fire Center 657 Flaming Road.

Comments should be sent to Jane Hope, Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 (phone 503-945-7359; fax 503-945-7376). The toll-free number to leave comments is 1-800-482-6866. Copies of the draft plans are available from Jane Hope, Oregon Department of Forestry district offices and some libraries, and will be found on the ODF web page at http://www.odf.state.or.us.

The state Board of Forestry on Sept. 6 approved the administrative rule-making process for the plans. The decision set in motion the final public review and comment on the draft plans, which will culminate in a Board of Forestry meeting to consider adoption of the plans in early 2001.

Begun in 1994, the planning processes garnered the participation of a wide array of citizens and interest groups and incorporated the most current, multi-disciplinary scientific information available.

Contacts:	Related Links:
Jane Hope Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State St. Salem, OR 97310 Phone: 503-945-7359; FAX: 503-945-7376 1-800-482-6866	Oregon Department of Forestry 4x4Wire's Environmental Policy Links from the 4x4Wire Link Index Blue Ribbon Coalition Tread Lightly!