Oregon Statutes 526.274 – Authority to participate in federal forest management
In furtherance of the policy established in ORS § 526.271, the State Board of Forestry, in consultation with the Governor, may:
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 526.274
- Board: means the State Board of Forestry. See Oregon Statutes 526.005
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Department: means the State Forestry Department. See Oregon Statutes 526.005
- executive department: means all statewide elected officers other than judges, and all boards, commissions, departments, divisions and other entities, without regard to the designation given to those entities, that are within the executive branch of government as described in Article III, section 1, of the Oregon Constitution, and that are not:
(a) In the judicial department or the legislative department;
(b) Local governments; or
(c) Special government bodies. See Oregon Statutes 174.112
- Forester: means the State Forester or the authorized representative of the forester. See Oregon Statutes 526.005
- Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
(1) In conformance with federal law, including Public Law 108-7, direct the State Forester to facilitate the development of stewardship contracts utilizing private contractors and, when appropriate, to seek and enter into a stewardship contract agreement with federal agencies to carry out forest management activities on federal lands. The State Forester may, under the stewardship contract agreements:
(a) Perform road and trail maintenance;
(b) Set prescribed fires to improve forest health, composition, structure and condition;
(c) Manage vegetation;
(d) Perform watershed restoration and maintenance;
(e) Restore wildlife habitat;
(f) Control exotic weeds and species; and
(g) Perform other activities related to stewardship.
(2) Create a forum for interagency cooperation and collaborative public involvement regarding federal forest management issues that may include, at the discretion of the board, the appointment of advisory committees, the use of existing advisory committees and procedures for holding public hearings.
(3) Provide guidelines for the State Forestry Department and State Forester to follow that contain directions regarding the management of federal lands and that specify the goals and objectives of the board regarding the management of federal lands.
(4) Participate, to the extent allowed by federal law, in the development of federal forest policies and the forest management planning processes of federal agencies.
(5) Provide guidelines for the department to follow in implementing this section.
(6) Coordinate with Oregon State University, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Business Development Department, the State Department of Energy and other agencies of the executive department, as defined in ORS § 174.112, to assist the State Forestry Department in carrying out the provisions of this section. [2005 c.772 § 2]
See note under 526.271.