County Advisory Groups for Forestry, Feb. 17

County Advisory Groups for Forestry
A group of commissioners representing Oregon counties that in the past deeded forestland to the state for management will meet on Friday, Feb. 17, in Salem. The Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee’s (FTLAC) agenda includes:  - Oregon State Forester Doug Decker will provide background on a public-private "rails-and-trails" project being discussed in the Oregon Coast Range; - Update on State Forest implementation plans; - Discussion of State Forest-related agenda items to be addressed at the March 7 Board of Forestry meeting, including:  ­ Next phase of land acquisition for the Gilchrist State Forest; ­ State Forest conservation areas; ­ State Forest performance measure improvements.  Updates on legislative and legal matters.  The meeting will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in the Tillamook Room - Administration Building (D), 2600 State St., in Salem. FTLAC meetings are open to the public, and an opportunity for public comment will be provided around 10 a.m.  The FTLAC is a legally mandated committee of county commissioners representing counties that deeded lands to the state. The committee advises the Board of Forestry on matters where counties may have a responsibility related to forestland managed by ODF. Planning and policy decisions made by the board and department can affect revenues received by the counties with forest trust lands managed by ODF, which are located in the Tillamook State Forest and elsewhere.  Counties depend on revenue generated from management activities on these lands. The revenue is used primarily for local schools and also helps fund county government and local taxing districts.  FTLAC is made up of seven members that represent the 15 counties that have state forest land within their county boundaries. The 15 trust counties include: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Douglas, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Tillamook and Washington.