As some of you know, the Oregon Department of Forestry(ODF) has released draft versions of the Implementation Plans (IP) and Annual Operation Plans (AOP) for the Clatsop and Tillamook Forests. Ryan, Wayne, the Westside Trail Federation (W.T.F.) crew, and myself have been very vocal over the years with ODF about their lack of attention to the needs of non-motorized users. Now that the economy has slowed and the price of lumber is low, the problem has been compounded. ODF has adopted a stance of only maintaining the existing trail network with no new trails to be constructed with no definitive plan for the future.
ODF has gone through significant layoffs and budget cuts over the last two years. Unfortunately for recreation interests, many of the cuts came from recreation staff.
ODF is supposed to follow the Greatest Permanent Value(GPV) rule which essentially states that they manage the forest for the highest and best use. The uses fall into three categories: Social (Recreation), Economic (logging), and Environmental (habitat, clean air and water, etc.). Many have been critical of ODF for really only managing the forest for the economic aspect while ignoring the social and environmental.
OSU's Institute for Natural Resources conducted a review of the new Forest Management Plan and concluded that ODF has not used the best science to support their increase in logging and resulting clear cutting. A brief article appeared on the front page of the Metro section of the Oregonian today summarizing OSU's review and ODF's response to the criticism.
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/04/oregon_department_of_forestrys.html
I can say that ODF has a tough job. They are caught between a number of interests. The largest interest comes from the counties. The counties are pushing ODF harder than ever to harvest more timber to replace lost tax revenue and federal support. I completely understand the position of the counties, but at some point harvest levels become unsustainable and revenue for future generations is jeopardized.
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