ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION July 10, 2002 4:30 – 6:00 PM MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Frank Betlejewski, Bill Robertson (Chair), Richard Brock, Jo Anne Eggers, John Morrison (Council Liaison) Members Absent: Elizabeth Crosson, Anthony Kerwin, Stephen Jensen Staff Present: Keith Woodley, Nancy Slocum, Karl Johnson, Jeff MacFarland I. CALL TO ORDER AT 4:31 PM II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 12 and June 25, 2002 minutes approved as submitted. III. PUBLIC FORUM: No one spoke. IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. Soil/Groundcover Monitoring on Forest Service Lands – David Steinfield of the J Herbert Stone Nursery made a presentation to the commission on surface erosion and monitoring. His previous experience included contributions to the Ski Ashland EIS. Steinfield educated the commission on the types of water erosion. He explained the amount of soil exposed is directly related to the amount of erosion. The goal is to increase the amount of natural soil cover (litter, duff, plants, course wood and gravels, cobbles and stones) to lessen the amount of soil exposed. He explained the techniques the Forest Service use to increase soil cover and the methods they use to measure the percentage of bare soil. Commission discussion included planned disturbances versus unplanned disturbances, effect of slope, types of trees that provide the most cover and the optimum size for course woody material. Commission decided that the forest service monitoring as discussed would be effective in measuring the density reduction goal of protecting soils. Steinfield said it was better to maintain existing cover than to try and replace it. The effectiveness of planting native grasses was also discussed. Main said this science was not yet developed, planting was very expensive for large areas, and its practical use was a gamble. B. Continued Discussion of Stand Density Reduction on City Owned Forest Lands – Item tabled until next meeting. Commission voted to hold a study session on July 31st to continue this discussion. V. OTHER BUSINESS Brock said there was a noxious weed problem at the quarry site at the top of Granite. Star thistles covered approximately an acre. He wondered if this was part of the commission’s jurisdiction or Public Works. Johnson will research problem and report back to the commission at their next meeting. VI. ADJOURNED AT 6:20 PM