Agendas and Minutes

Forest Lands Committee (View All)

Regular Monthly Meeting

Agenda
Wednesday, October 09, 2002

ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION October 9, 2002 4:30 – 6:30 PM MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Frank Betlejewski, Richard Brock, Elizabeth Crosson, Jo Anne Eggers, Stephen Jensen, Anthony Kerwin, Bill Robertson (Chair) Members Absent: John Morrison (Council Liaison) Staff Present: Nancy Slocum, Pieter Smeenk, Keith Woodley Marty Main (Consultant) I. CALL TO ORDER AT 4:35 PM II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 11, 2002 minutes approved with two minor amendments. III. PUBLIC FORUM: No one spoke. IV. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: Continued Discussion of Stand Density Reduction on City Owned Forest Lands – Betlejewski suggested adding information about the West Fork’s fish habitat to the document. He suggested getting help from Sue Maiyo, fishery biologist with the Forest Service. Robertson asked about the future schedule of events. Woodley suggested giving the City Council an overview of the document fairly soon during a council study session. The Council can then assimilate the information and schedule a public hearing(s). Brock wanted to wait until the Commission had a finished project with maps, the amount of wood, number of trucks, economics, etc. Robertson wanted to see the commission hold one or two public hearings on the finished product and then turn it over to the Council. Robertson suggested working backward from Main’s monitoring needs. Betljewski said that with the existing stand tables, needed numbers could be generated quickly. Woodley and Roberston agreed. Robertson suggested holding another study session October 30th from 4:30 – 8:00 PM in order to finalize the lower watershed section and then turn the document over to Main. Commission agreed. Discussion on “Old Growth Forest” Definition – Betlejewski believed that technically the City-owned parcels have no “old growth” forest, only “late successional.” Crowson disagreed, but thought there are only a few pockets and they needed to be protected. Main asked the Commission to keep in mind that there are 14,000 total acres in the Ashland Watershed of which 80% is mid-late successional (“old growth”). The watershed is unique in its large block of mid-late succession so management depends upon the frame of reference and should be viewed over time. Kerwin said the “McKelvey” system was a good way to measure the successional state of a stand. Classification is measured from 1 to 6. Brock thought part of the Winburn Parcel, especially Unit 6, had small groups of some characteristics of old growth. He suggested rewriting the glossary definition of “old growth.” Commission agreed. V. OTHER BUSINESS Report on Winburn Hike October 6th – Five commissioners, Pieter Smeenk, and three members of the public attended the hike that covered nearly all the units within the Winburn parcel. Main congratulated the commission for their first-hand knowledge of the diverse land they manage. Brock noted the scarcity of snags on Unit 1. Kerwin discussed girdling versus inoculation and its effect on wildlife. Crosson thought that all trees over 16” in diameter should be documented for public and council approval prior to removal. Robertson thought an example plot that would be kept consistent throughout the city-owned parcels would be preferable. Crosson thought the number of trees needing pre-approval would be minimal so this process would not be burdensome. VI. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:30 PM

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