“Cooperation between diverse interests can lead to a better understanding of the issues from multiple points of view. It will help lead to a balanced problem solving approach.”—Participant, Federal Forest Lands Advisory Committee project
Nearly 60% of Oregon’s 30 million acres of forest is federally owned—about 25% of Oregon’s land base. Forests provide rural jobs, critical wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and financial support for roads and schools. The Federal Forestlands Advisory Committee is a diverse stakeholder group appointed by the Board of Forestry to develop a guidance document to articulate Oregon’s vision for sustainable management of federal forest lands. The guidance document will be used to inform local planning for use of federal lands, and to support Oregon’s interests in national policy development.
Results
The Federal Forestland Advisory Committee examined issues related to climate change, forest ecology, biomass,wildfire, timber harvest, infrastructure, old growth and coordination of federal forestland policy decisions and funding. The guidance document produced by the committee, Oregon’s Vision for Federal Forestlands, includes recommendations that local collaborative groups, in cooperation with state and federal agencies, conduct forest health assessments through inclusive, local collaborative processes, and identify projects to improve forest health. It also recommends that the Governor and State Legislature provide resources to these collaborative partnerships; use Oregon Consensus to provide a neutral forum to facilitate the partnerships; and pilot three such collaborative partnerships in the coming year. The guidance document was revised in response to public comments in late 2008, adopted by the Board of Forestry in January 2009, and forwarded to the Governor for review.
For more information on the Federal Forestlands Advisory Committee, click here
Key Oregon Consensus Contributions
Oregon Consensus provided information about conducting a collaborative process; assisted the committee in developing participant working agreements; guided meeting design; and provided neutral facilitation through its staff and a contracted provider.
Participants
Benton County Commission; Cascade Resource Advocacy Group; Collins Companies; Coquille Indian Tribe; Environmental Quality Commission; Fish and Wildlife Commission; Harney County; Board of Forestry; Roseburg Forest Products; The Nature Conservancy; Western Council of Industrial Workers. Public Participants: American Forest Resources Council; Associated Oregon Loggers; Frank Lumber Company; Hull-Oaks Lumber Company; Oregon Wild
Project Lead
Elaine Hallmark
Facilitators
Robert Fisher, Fisher Collaborative, LLC
Robert Williams, Portland State University