ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION
March 13, 2002 4:30 - 6:00 PM
MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: Frank Betlejewski, Richard Brock, Jo Anne Eggers, Stephen Jensen, Bill Robertson (Chair} Members Absent: Fred Binnewies, John Morrison (Council Liaison)
Staff: Keith Woodley, Nancy Slocum, Karl Johnson
Guests: Marty Main, Small Woodland Services

I. CALL TO ORDER AT 4:38 PM

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 6 minutes approved.

III. PUBLIC FORUM:

IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:

A. Continued Discussion of Stand Density Reduction on City Owned Forest Lands -

Robertson began by stating that some draft proposal topics overlapped in structure and timing. Brock said he had been ready to give the current draft to Main to begin the quantitative work, however, he received comments from Betlejewski that added a new perspective that perhaps needed further discussion. Since Main attends 90% of meetings, Robertson trusted him to begin his portion of the process. Eggers asked how much more information was needed for a decision (eg. soil productivity). She wanted the commission to foresee most of the potential questions from the public. Even so, Robertson preferred to give Main direction and continue with general discussion and definitions.

Betlejewski said that pre-white settlement information indicated that the forest was drastically different than today consisting of 85' of basal area and approximately 100 trees per acre: an open grassy forest with fewer trees. Goal 3 in the proposal indicated that this was the ultimate goal for the proposed fuel reduction. Eggers thought this was not a realistic goal. Goal 3 was reworked.

Betlejewski was also concerned that creating snags would encourage bark beetle attacks. In regards to desired future conditions, Betlejewski worried about being too conservative in meeting goals. He believed the percentage of canopy closure as proposed is too high. Brock suggested that Betlejewski and Main rework the section on Desired Future Conditions. The commission agreed. Eggers added that this document should be "transparent" i.e. includes all reasons and assumptions underlying the decision. Betlejewski agreed and wanted the commission to be aware of all the pros and cons to the decision, whatever it is.

B. Review and Set Commission Calendar and Future Site Visits - Commission will hold the next site visit to the Winburn parcel on Saturday, April 20th. The field trip is expected to last all day. The visit is open to the public and will begin at the intersection of Granite and Glenview where participants can carpool.

V. OTHER BUSINESS

A. Jensen thought half hour presentations from experts on various aspects of the watershed would be useful. The commission agreed.

B. Betlejewski suggested inexpensive interpretive signs be placed in the portions of the watershed that have public access. These educational signs would state the type of thinning and when it was done. The commission supported the idea. The logistics would still need to be worked out.

VI. ADJOURNED AT 6:05 PM