Deschutes County Forestland Classification Meetings

The Deschutes County Forestland Classification Committee will host the first of three public meetings to inform the public of the preliminary forestland classification results for the county.  Tonight's meeting begins at six at the La Pine Fire Department.  

If you are unable to attend one of the meetings, and are interested in the classification of your property use the interactive map link below to see the preliminary classification.

Interactive map to review the preliminary classification for your parcel.

Meeting Schedule:

November 29, 2018: 

La Pine – La Pine Rural Fire Department

51550 Huntington Road, La Pine OR 97739

November 30, 2018: 

Sisters – Sisters Camp Sherman Fire Department Community Hall

301 S Elm Street, Sisters OR 97759

December 3, 2018: 

Bend – Deschutes County Services Building

1300 NW Wall Street, Bend OR 97703

Barnes and Sawyer Rooms

Classification Committee Members:

Ed Keith, County Representative (committee chair)

Gordon Foster, ODF Representative (committee secretary)

Nicole Strong, OSU Extension Representative

Jeremy Ast, State Fire Marshall Representative

Bill Swarts, Timberland Representative

Matt Cyrus, Grazing land Representative

Information Meetings Planned for Deschutes County Forestland Classification

[Bend, Ore.]  The Deschutes County Forestland Classification Committee will be holding public meetings to explain the forestland classification process and criteria used by the committee and to present the preliminary forestland classification.  These meetings and the public hearing are the final steps before the committee considers testimony received and finalizes the classification.  Forestland classification is the process of determining what is forestland, then further classifying these lands as primarily suitable for growing timber, for grazing/agricultural use, or a combination of the two.  Forestland by definition includes woodland, brush land, or clearing that at any time of the year contains enough vegetation to present a fire hazard, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed.

The six person committee is comprised of foresters, landowners, and experienced fire fighters.  Their varying backgrounds and areas of expertise proved insightful during the process and ensured a quality preliminary classification.  Efforts during this reclassification process have focused on accurately mapping and classifying the lands based on soil productivity, potential fuel hazard, existing vegetation and other factors which may influence the potential fire risk for these lands.  Soil surveys, aerial photo imagery, infra-red imagery, and on site visits were used to identify the suitable classification for the forestland. 

Committee members and representatives from the Oregon Department of Forestry will be available at these informational meetings to provide information specific to landowners and answer any questions.  All meetings begin at 6:00 P.M.  Public meeting schedule:

November 29, 2018: 

La Pine – La Pine Rural Fire Department

51550 Huntington Road, La Pine OR 97739

November 30, 2018: 

Sisters – Sisters Camp Sherman Fire Department Community Hall

301 S Elm Street, Sisters OR 97759

December 3, 2018: 

Bend – Deschutes County Services Building

1300 NW Wall Street, Bend OR 97703

Barnes and Sawyer Rooms

Classification Committee Members:

Ed Keith, County Representative (committee chair)

Gordon Foster, ODF Representative (committee secretary)

Nicole Strong, OSU Extension Representative

Jeremy Ast, State Fire Marshall Representative

Bill Swarts, Timberland Representative

Matt Cyrus, Grazing land Representative

For additional information about forestland classification please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to ORS 526.328, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held to receive from any interested persons suggestions, advice, objections or remonstrance’s to the preliminary forestland classification for Deschutes County, within the Central Oregon Forest Protection District.  A hearing will be held on Monday, December 3, 2018, at 6:00 P.M., at the Deschutes County Services Building – 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Ore. Maps of the preliminary classification may be inspected during normal working hours at the Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District Office – 3501 NE 3^rd Street, in Prineville, or at the Department of Forestry office in Sisters, 16721 Pine Tree Lane.  Written testimony may be submitted to the committee at these locations or by mail, PO Box 670, Prineville, OR  97754. Testimony must be received by December 10 at 5 P.M.  To ensure the broadest range of services to individuals with disabilities, persons with disabilities requiring special arrangements should contact 541-447-5658 at least two working days in advance.

                                                            OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

                                                            PETER DAUGHERTY, STATE FORESTER

Deschutes County Forestland Classification Public Hearing

[Bend, Ore.]  The Deschutes County Forestland Classification Committee will be holding a public hearing December 3, 2018 to hear testimony regarding the preliminary forestland classification.  Landowners will have the opportunity to provide written or verbal testimony regarding draft classification results and the process for the committee to evaluate prior to finalizing the classification.  Public information meetings are planned to provide information to affected landowners prior to the hearing.  The schedule follows, all meetings begin at 6:00 P.M.

November 29, 2018:  La Pine – La Pine Rural Fire Department

                              51550 Huntington Road, La Pine OR 97739

November 30, 2018:  Sisters – Sisters Camp Sherman Fire Department

Community Hall

                              301 S Elm Street, Sisters OR 97759

December 3, 2018:  Bend – Deschutes County Services Building

                              1300 NW Wall Street, Bend OR 97703

                              Barnes and Sawyer Rooms

Classification Committee Members:

Ed Keith, County Representative (committee chair)

Gordon Foster, ODF Representative (committee secretary)

Nicole Strong, OSU Extension Representative

Jeremy Ast, State Fire Marshall Representative

Bill Swarts, Timberland Representative

Matt Cyrus, Grazing land Representative

For additional information on forestland classification please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com and select the forestland classification tab.

**PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE**

Pursuant to ORS 526.328, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held to receive from any interested persons suggestions, advice, objections or remonstrance’s to the preliminary forestland classification for Deschutes County, within the Central Oregon Forest Protection District.  A hearing will be held on Monday, December 3, 2018, at 6:00 P.M., at the Deschutes County Services Building – 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Ore. Maps of the preliminary classification may be inspected during normal working hours at the Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District Office – 3501 NE 3rd Street, in Prineville, or at the Department of Forestry office in Sisters, 16721 Pine Tree Lane.  Written testimony may be submitted to the committee at these locations or by mail, PO Box 670, Prineville, OR  97754. Testimony must be received by December 10 at 5 P.M.  To ensure the broadest range of services to individuals with disabilities, persons with disabilities requiring special arrangements should contact 541-447-5658 at least two working days in advance.