The introduction to the Vision for Oregon’s Forests states: “Forests are an integral part of the social, economic and environmental fabric of our state, and as such, their vulnerability is ours as well. Clean air and water, sustainable forest products, biodiversity, public health and safety, and many more critical benefits Oregonians rely upon require a … Read more
Beginning in early 2022, the College of Forestry (COF) at Oregon State University (OSU) requested assistance from Oregon Consensus in conducting assessment interviews and facilitating a stakeholder advisory committee to inform the development of a new forest management plan (FMP) for OSU’s McDonald and Dunn Research Forests. The group includes a diverse range of stakeholders … Read more
A May 30, 2024 “Water Policy: Call to Action” presentation was made to the Interim Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire in which a small group of water law experts referenced a Letter to Governor Kotek sent in January with a call for modernizing Oregon’s water laws. In this, priority area 4 described the … Read more
Beginning in January 2023, in conjunction with Oregon Consensus’ overall process support for implementation of the Oregon Landscape Resiliency Strategy (OLRS), OC staff began assisting federal and state partner agencies (Oregon Department of Forestry; Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife; Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; U.S. Forest Service; Natural Resource Conservation Services; and the Bureau of … Read more
Increases in wildfire frequency and severity across the western US have prompted changes to fire management programs in many states. In Oregon, SB 762(2021) created a number of programs and a significant, one-time investment from the State to address recommendations from a 2019 Wildfire Council Report related to three key strategies: create fire-adapted communities, develop … Read more
Beginning in June 2024, the United States Forest Service (USFS) enlisted Oregon Consensus to support the development of an all-lands wildfire risk reduction 10-year Strategic Action Plan (SAP). Project partners include Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with community members and other … Read more
Beginning in June 2024, the United States Forest Service (USFS) enlisted Oregon Consensus to provide technical assistance, issue resolution, and mediation on best practices for public engagement between USFS and place-based forest collaboratives. Place-based forest collaborative groups are multi-partner entities that develop and promote balanced solutions to land management challenges. Dialogue across these diverse partner … Read more
Parts of the Harney Basin are experiencing significant groundwater declines. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) initiated a rulemaking for the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern to update how groundwater is managed to better balance uses with how much groundwater is available. That update will include reductions in groundwater withdrawals. In late 2023, … Read more
In 2021, a Tribal Water Task Force was formed in response to a joint letter sent to the Governor from 9 Tribes requesting a more direct engagement with the State on matters related to water management and policy. Oregon Consensus and the Institute for Tribal Government facilitated the process. The Task Force focused on shared … Read more
In the Fall of 2023, in conjunction with Oregon Consensus’ overall process support for implementation of Oregon Landscape Resiliency Strategy (OLRS), OC staff helped federal and state partner agencies (Oregon Department of Forestry; Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife; Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; U.S. Forest Service; Natural Resource Conservation Services; and … Read more
The Partnership for Lake Abert and the Chewaucan (PLACe) formed in spring 2023 to address water management issues in the area. At the request of a group of local producers and environmental organizations, Oregon Consensus and Oregon State University conducted an assessment with a number of interested parties to find ways to sustain livelihoods, get … Read more
At the request of representatives from the renewable energy sector, fishing industry, labor unions, environmental groups, and other interests, Oregon Consensus facilitated an informal work group to explore the impacts and benefits of offshore wind along Oregon’s coast. This work group has recommended that Oregon develop an “Offshore Wind Roadmap with Exit Ramps.” The Roadmap … Read more
Oregon Consensus was asked by a state senator to assess whether the timing was right for Oregon Consensus to facilitate a stakeholder collaboration specifically to craft guidelines around a community benefit agreement tied to possible offshore wind development off of Oregon’s south coast. Oregon Consensus found that the conditions and timing were not right for … Read more
Oregon Consensus was asked by the City of Beaverton, Oregon, to assist with the convening and facilitation of the Beaverton Climate Action Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to enhance city council awareness of community perspectives related to climate change issues, help the city communicate its climate message to the community, and … Read more
Oregon Consensus was asked by a coalition of nonprofit organizations engaged in renewable energy issues (Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Renewable Northwest, and Oregon Natural Desert Association) to help facilitate a collaborative effort around renewable energy facility siting. These groups recognize that there is the potential for expanding renewable energy in Oregon, but … Read more
The Recreation, Education, and Innovation (REI) program, housed within the State Forests Division of the Oregon Department of Forestry, is embarking on a strategic visioning process to develop internal agency agreement on a vision and common set of values for the REI program, as well as a process for future strategic planning that explores how … Read more
Oregon Consensus assisted policy and executive leadership, and two technical work groups of the Bonneville Power Administration, US Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers and their cooperating agencies to develop an environmental impact statement for Columbia River System Operations. It was due for completion in 2020. Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons
This collaborative is discussing opportunities for increased collaboration and improved communication to improve fire prevention, suppression, and restoration. Agreements have been reached on suppression, and the team is implementing wildfire prevention and restoration strategies in several high-risk locations. These pilot projects will provide valuable information for partners in understanding and managing fire risk across Eastern … Read more
The Oregon Board of Forestry directed the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to move forward with development of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for timber harvest and overall management of state forest lands in western Oregon. The effort aimed at ensuring programmatic compliance with the Endangered Species Act, related ODF planning and management efficiencies and … Read more
Starting in October 2017, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hosted meetings with local governments, recycling collectors, recycling processors, and industry representatives to address short-term responses to China’s 2018 ban on the import of certain recyclables from the United States. In May 2018, DEQ launched a longer-term planning process with a convening of these representative … Read more