Bill Text: OR SB459 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to forest land management.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2011-06-30 - In committee upon adjournment. [SB459 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-SB459-Introduced.html

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     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 1099

                         Senate Bill 459

Sponsored by Senator GEORGE (Presession filed.)

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Establishes policy direction for management of state
forestlands, including management for timber harvesting. Directs
State Board of Forestry to modify forest management plans to
reflect policy direction.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to forest land management; creating new provisions; and
  amending ORS 527.630.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1. ORS 527.630 is amended to read:
  527.630. (1) Forests make a vital contribution to Oregon by
providing jobs, products, tax base and other social and economic
benefits, by helping to maintain forest tree species, soil, air
and water resources and by providing a habitat for wildlife and
aquatic life. Therefore, it is declared to be the public policy
of the State of Oregon to encourage economically efficient forest
practices that ensure the continuous growing and harvesting of
forest tree species and the maintenance of forestland for such
purposes as the leading use on privately owned land, consistent
with sound management of soil, air, water, fish and wildlife
resources and scenic resources within visually sensitive
corridors as provided in ORS 527.755 and to ensure the continuous
benefits of those resources for future generations of Oregonians.
  (2) It is recognized that operations on forestland are already
subject to other laws and to regulations of other agencies which
deal primarily with consequences of such operations rather than
the manner in which operations are conducted. It is further
recognized that it is essential to avoid uncertainty and
confusion in enforcement and implementation of such laws and
regulations and in planning and carrying out operations on
forestlands.
  (3) To encourage forest practices implementing the policy of
ORS 527.610 to 527.770   { - and 527.990 and 527.992 - } , it is
declared to be in the public interest to vest in the State Board
of Forestry exclusive authority to develop and enforce statewide
and regional rules pursuant to ORS 527.710 and to coordinate with
other state agencies and local governments   { - which - }  { +
that + } are concerned with the forest environment.
   { +  (4) The sound management under ORS 530.050 of soil,
water, fish and wildlife resources on forestlands acquired under
ORS 530.010 to 530.040 and on other forestlands, including but
not limited to Common School Forest Lands and Elliott State
Forest Lands managed under ORS 530.490, shall be achieved through
compliance with ORS 527.610 to 527.770. Sound management under
ORS 530.050 includes the management of forestlands acquired under
ORS 530.010 to 530.040, Common School Forest Lands, Elliott State
Forest Lands and other forestlands to allow annual timber
harvesting in a forest region that averages 90 percent of the
annual harvestable timber production expected to be achieved in
the forest region under ORS 527.610 to 527.770. However, the
management practices specified by this subsection do not apply to
lands described in ORS 530.025 to the extent that application of
the management practices would violate any contractual
obligation, covenant or intergovernmental agreement with regard
to those lands. + }
    { - (4) - }  { +  (5) + } The board may adopt and enforce
rules addressing scenic considerations only in accordance with
ORS 527.755.
    { - (5) - }  { +  (6) + } The board shall adopt and enforce
forest practice rules to reduce the risk of serious bodily injury
or death from a rapidly moving landslide only in accordance with
ORS 527.710 (10).  As used in this subsection, 'rapidly moving
landslide' has the meaning given in ORS 195.250.
    { - (6) - }  { +  (7) + } The State of Oregon should provide
a stable regulatory environment to encourage investment in
private forestlands.
  SECTION 2.  { + Not later than one year after the effective
date of this 2011 Act, the State Board of Forestry shall modify
forest management plans developed by the board before the
effective date of this 2011 Act to the extent modification is
necessary to achieve the policy goals and direction established
by the amendments to ORS 527.630 by section 1 of this 2011 Act.
The modification of forest management plans under this section
may include, if necessary, the modification or suspension of any
other forest structure goals. + }
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