Deschutes County Forestland Classification Committee Meeting

[Sisters, Ore.]  The Deschutes County Forestland Classification Committee will meet April 30, 2018 at 9 a.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry office in Sisters, Oregon.  Agenda items include an update on the Central Oregon District Boundary relocation process, review and edit of the preliminary forestland classification, and developing a timeline and process for public information meetings/public hearing for adoption of the final classification.  The meeting is open to any interested landowners and the public.

“Forestland classification” is the process used to determine lands inside a forest protection boundary which meet the definition of forestland (ORS 526.005(a)).  The process further delineates these “forestlands” into lands suitable for timber production or grazing/agricultural use.  Land use zoning and taxation are not used to determine forestland classification for this process.  Forestland inside the protection boundary is provided wildfire protection by the Oregon Department of Forestry through a Forest Patrol Assessment on landowner’s property tax statements.  For more information regarding forestland classification in ODF’s Central Oregon District visit www.odfcentraloregon.com.

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to Gordon Foster at the Oregon Department of Forestry office in Prineville (541) 447-5658.

Committee Members:

Ed Keith, Deschutes County Forester—Committee Chair

Gordon Foster, Oregon Department of Forestry—Secretary

Jeremy Ast, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department (OSFM)

Nicole Strong, OSU Extension Forester

Bill Swarts, Timber Representative

Matt Cyrus, Grazing Representative