[Bend, Ore.] The Deschutes County Forestland
Classification Committee will be holding public meetings to explain the forestland
classification process and criteria used by the committee and to present the
preliminary forestland classification. These
meetings and the public hearing are the final steps before the committee
considers testimony received and finalizes the classification. Forestland classification is the process of
determining what is forestland, then further classifying these lands as
primarily suitable for growing timber, for grazing/agricultural use, or a
combination of the two. Forestland by
definition includes woodland, brush land, or clearing that at any time of the
year contains enough vegetation to present a fire hazard, regardless of how the
land is zoned or taxed.
The six person committee is
comprised of foresters, landowners, and experienced fire fighters. Their varying backgrounds and areas of
expertise proved insightful during the process and ensured a quality
preliminary classification. Efforts
during this reclassification process have focused on accurately mapping and
classifying the lands based on soil productivity, potential fuel hazard,
existing vegetation and other factors which may influence the potential fire
risk for these lands. Soil surveys,
aerial photo imagery, infra-red imagery, and on site visits were used to
identify the suitable classification for the forestland.
Committee members and
representatives from the Oregon Department of Forestry will be available at
these informational meetings to provide information specific to landowners and
answer any questions. All meetings begin
at 6:00 P.M. Public meeting schedule:
November 29, 2018:
La
Pine – La Pine Rural Fire Department
51550
Huntington Road, La Pine OR 97739
November 30, 2018:
Sisters
– Sisters Camp Sherman Fire Department Community Hall
301 S Elm Street,
Sisters OR 97759
December 3, 2018:
Bend
– Deschutes County Services Building
1300
NW Wall Street, Bend OR 97703
Barnes
and Sawyer Rooms
Classification
Committee Members:
Ed Keith, County Representative (committee chair)
Gordon Foster, ODF Representative (committee
secretary)
Nicole Strong, OSU Extension Representative
Jeremy Ast, State Fire Marshall Representative
Bill Swarts, Timberland Representative
Matt Cyrus, Grazing land Representative
For additional information about forestland
classification please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
