Agendas and Minutes

Forest Lands Committee (View All)

Special Session Meeting

Agenda
Wednesday, March 31, 2004

ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION
March 31, 2004
MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: Frank Betlejewski, Richard Brock, Jo Anne Eggers, Stephen Jensen (Chair), Anthony Kerwin, Bill Robertson, Diane White
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Nancy Slocum, Keith Woodley
Non Voting Members Present: January Jennings, Marty Main
Non Voting Members Absent: Chris Hearn, Cameron Meeks (Student Liaison)

I. 0 CALL TO ORDER: 4:32 PM
0
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The March 10, 2004 minutes were unanimously approved as submitted.
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III. PUBLIC FORUM:
Elizabeth Crosson requested the commission sponsor a public tour of the lower watershed after the initial phase of the Restoration Project was complete.
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IV. STAFF REPORTS (20 MIN)
A. Chief Keith Woodley
1. Restoration Project Progress Report - Woodley reported that this phase of the Restoration Project has generated a lot of media attention. The project is proceeding ahead of schedule and there have been no major issues with the public. Eggers and Jensen wondered how does the area looks and how much slash is left. Woodley and Main said there is minimal damage from the helicopters.

Main reported that 12 cutters began work March 12th and finished in two weeks. Main goals were to observe them and establish a relationship. They left all the hardwoods greater than 14" dbh and took some trees that weren't marked mostly for safety reasons. The cutters were very professional and receptive to our community values. Eggers wondered if cutters could be hand selected. Main said, no, that cutters were subcontractors and chosen by the contractor.

Main said that the log quality would effect cost. He is working with the helicopter operator to leave the lower quality logs on site. He is scoring the bark on downed logs to reduce potential bark beetle habitat.

Betlejewski toured the site and commented that snags and coarse wood could be an issue in the future as the Commission's opinions are not consistent. The BTI trail looks like it has been clear-cut, but all the cut trees were dead. Brock thought this presented a good opportunity for public education. Main reported that they had grant money available for public education purposes.

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V. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
A. Restoration Project Proposal: Winburn Parcel Objectives
The commission used Commissioner White's and Kerwin's drafts to further discussion.

Robertson/Kerwin made a motion to extend the meeting until 6:30 PM. Motion passed unanimously.

Brock asked Main his time needs for the commission's goals and objectives. Main thought the chronological order to be goals, stand objectives (desired future conditions) and then prescriptions. The commission set June as the goal for beginning public tours in the Winburn parcel.

0
VI. PROJECTS PENDING/REQUIRING ACTION - Tabled.
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VII. OTHER BUSINESS -
A. Jensen asked the commission to review the draft letter to Zach Stevenson, World Wildlife Fund, rejecting their proposal for forest certification. Discussion followed regarding the need to add the additional reason for denial included timing issues.

Robertson/White moved to accept the draft letter as written, not including the timing issue. Motion passed unanimously.

B. Robertson wished to revisit the idea of the commission, along with other local groups and individuals, submitting an alternative to the Forest Service. The alternative plan would then become the county's "Community Wildfire Protection Plan." This would leave two to three weeks to write the alternative, bring it to the City Council and submit it to the County Commissioners. Robertson reported that Howard Heiner would contact other parties to see if they were interested in moving forward with this.

Jensen wondered about the short time frame to complete such a large project. Robertson said that he, Heiner and Council Member Cate Hartzell volunteered to convene the process. He will report on the status at the commission's April meeting.

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VIII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR / NEXT MEETING
A public tour of the lower City-owned parcel was set for Saturday, May 1st beginning at 9:00 AM. Commissioners and interested citizens would meet at the swimming hole on Granite Street. The goal of the tour is to view the parcel after trees were cut and removed and public education.
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IX. ADJOURN 6:33 PM

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