Recently representatives from the forest sector have reached agreement with environmental organizations on proposed changes to Oregon’s forest practice laws. The agreed-upon changes will need to be codified in law during the next legislative session. This could happen through a special session later this year, or during the February 2022 short session. Then the changes will require a rulemaking process through the Board of Forestry. Should that all be successful, the state will seek a 50-year Habitat Conservation Plan applicable to private lands from both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for threatened and endangered species.
The proposed changes focus primarily on regulations for salmonids and salamanders in three areas: buffers on fish-bearing and non-fish bearing streams, assessments and improvements on forest roads, and regulations for harvests around unstable slopes. Read more details on these changes here.
Board of Forestry Appoints Cal Mukumoto as the Next State Forester
The Oregon Board of Forestry voted unanimously to appoint Calvin Mukumoto as Oregon’s 14th state forester, replacing Nancy Hirsch, who served as interim state forester after Peter Daugherty resigned last May at the request of Governor Brown. Mukumoto is a management consultant from Coos Bay with experience on the boards of six tribal enterprises as well as the Oregon Board of Forestry. Mukumoto is set to begin his new post in mid-November. Congratulations to Mr. Mukumoto on the new role, and we look forward to working with you!
Federal OSHA Releases Emergency Rule Mandating Vaccinations
Federal OSHA has released the anticipated rule mandating vaccinations for all employees at private businesses with 100 or more employees. Employees will have until January 4, 2022 to be vaccinated or begin weekly testing. Oregon OSHA will have to adopt rules that are “at least as effective” as these federal rules, which must be in place no later than Dec. 5th, 2021. The COVID-19 Rulemaking Advisory Committee will be meeting next week to discuss whether and how Oregon’s rule will differ from the federal rule. We will keep you updated as we learn more. In the meantime, visit the federal OSHA website for more information about the new federal rules.
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