[5]By Oregon Farm Bureau,
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is considering new riparian rules to require additional buffering on small and medium sized Salmon, Steelhead, and/or Bull Trout (SSBT) streams located in western Oregon. The new requirements include:
– Increased no harvest buffers,
– Increased number of trees left after harvest, and
– Increased complexity to require that residual trees near streams are distributed across the length and width of the buffered area.
Farmers and foresters have the opportunity to influence some of the details of the draft rules! The threshold determining whether a landowner will get relief from the new rules and the complexity of the new rule language are two issues you can influence by participating in these public hearings.
It is critical that OFB members and friends that are impacted by the new rules attend these public hearings (listed below), see maps that identify which streams will be impacted, and voice your opinion about the new rules and how they will impact you.
November, 16 2016 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Clatsop Community College, Astoria
December 6, 2016 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Willamalane Center, Springfield
December 7, 2016 4:30pm 7:30pm
Forest Grove Community Auditorium
December 8, 2016 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Civic Center Room, Dallas City Hall, Dallas
December 8, 2016 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Department of Forestry, Tillamook Room, Salem
December 15, 2016 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Ecotrust, Portland