ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION NOVEMBER 8, 2000, 5:30 – 7:00 PM MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Charter, Jo Anne Eggers, John Morrison, Richard Brock, Bill Robertson (Chair) Members Absent: Frank Betlejwski, Fred Binnewies, David Fine (Council Liaison) Staff: Keith Woodley, Karl Johnson Guests: Marty Main, Small Woodland Services; Jeff McFarlane, Parks Department; Bill Fleeger and four students, REALCorp I. CALL TO ORDER AT 5:31 PM II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 13, 2000 minutes approved. III. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. Prioritization of Potential Forest Management Activities – Woodley and Main discussed the status of the eleven items. Woodley began with Item 4 and said the tree felling of hazard trees above waterline is on hold. His recommendation was to not remove any live trees in areas shown as “high” geological risk. When asked if this is a project we were considering, he stated he did not know where the project fell on the Public Works’ Department’s current priority list. Main said G2, item 9, is geologically sound for clearing bush and planting in this area. Work is planned for Spring 2001. Main reported he is most concerned with item 11, silvicultural work on steeper portions of city owned portions of the watershed. Woodley reported that Bill Hicks was concerned that city topographical maps were not as accurate as they need to be. Eggers wondered about the difference between shaded fuel breaks and fuel reduction zones. Main agreed that distinction was difficult to see. The shaded fuel break was a design criteria for aerial retardant. Eggers would like to be able to visualize the change in an area. Main said an example of a shaded fuel break could be seen at the westside of the Winburn Parcel (areas H and G1). Unit U (above quarry) is similar to a fuel break. Fuel breaks are less effective on steep slopes. Uphill side mosaics (at least 20’x20’) that have been cut in G2 and will be replanted hopefully this winter. The hardwoods could remain. Eggers added that this would be experimental. Regarding item 11(b), Main reported that as Unit G3 is steep, young conifers will most likely be thinned experimentally, i.e., the amount of thinning will be determined when they get up there. He will be coordinating this with Bill Hicks this winter. Morrison would like a report only if something unusual happens. On the subject of Item 11(c), Main said the western portion has been left undone because of a city waterline. Brock would like Main to take into account stand health and any geologic problems. Robertson would like to postpone this discussion and perhaps plan a field trip to this area. He felt this and the discussion on timber sales needed to be placed on next month’s agenda. B. Discussion Regarding Ashland Urban Wildland Interface Fire Zone – Morrison wondered what would happen now the report was out. Brock noted there are two types of properties and two types of available funding. The next step is further discussion of what needs to be done where. He mentioned the AWSA was hosting a meeting November 13th that discusses how the Applegate River Watershed Council and the Applegate Partnership cooperated to protect their watershed. He felt much could be learned from their experience. Robertson believed people in the interface know about the problem and are now ready for action. Fleeger felt people like to have say in the process rather than being told what to do. Robertson wants to have plans in place when property owners ask for help. Morrison would like to see a “preplan” of what will be presented to property owners regarding clean-up processes in different neighborhoods. If the owners can see a plan and agree to it, it would be better than having to work out a separate plan for each neighborhood. Brock would like a conceptual idea of what to do when property owners are told about fire hazards on their property. What are the possibilities within a neighborhood? Can property owners plan together to reduce fire hazards? He would like ideas that would explain why neighborhood action is important and how it might work. He feels a subcommittee would be helpful. Charter thought a survey of Terrace Street would also be beneficial. Fleeger will have Taylor, a REAL Corp student, draft several ideas for helping property owners. IV. STATUS UPDATES: A. Forest Lands Contracting – See above discussion on forest management activities. B. REAL Corps – See above discussion on urban wildland interface zone. C. Update on Trail Users Subcommittee – MacFarland reported that information has been sent to property owners regarding relocation of Alice in Wonderland trail. So far there has been no reply. V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS VII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR / NEXT MEETING A. Next Meeting: Set for Wednesday, December 13, 2000, 5:30 PM. VIII. ADJOURN AT 7:03 PM