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“They’re logging in my back yard!” Shadow Wood/Johnson Road Operation Clackamas County – Stafford “Triangle” Area Presented by Mike Haasken-Stewardship/Urban Interface Forester-ODF, Molalla Unit. 2 Harvest Notifications, Sept. 2010, 1 operator, 2 landowners
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“They’re logging in my back yard!”Shadow Wood/Johnson Road OperationClackamas County – Stafford “Triangle” AreaPresented by Mike Haasken-Stewardship/Urban Interface Forester-ODF, Molalla Unit • 2 Harvest Notifications, Sept. 2010, 1 operator, 2 landowners • Rural ; outside of UGB , within an “Urban Reserve”, operations rare in area • Outside of ODF Fire Protection District • Residential Development, “Shadow Wood” adjacent • Active operation Inspection w/ Operator near beginning of Operation & contact w/ landowners; LO met with homeowners and myself • Mixed species forest; 20+ year old escaped Christmas trees, horse pastured oak , Sequoia’s, hardwood stand, some DF Saw.; mostly pulp; infested with English ivy • Realized a “medium” potential for complaints; third similar operation in 5 years with many complaints
Johnson Road
Public Complaint Issues • About 10 complaints/inquiries • Cutting all the trees down; allowed to do that? • Surprise; Lack of Public Notification; Subscription process • “Who yagonna call?” Multi-jurisdictions (DOA, Tualatin Valley RFD, County Planning • Noise from early morning operations • Destruction of Wildlife Habitat • Water Runoff • Windthrow • Small creek stopped flowing • Smoke from pile burning
Public Meeting • Early March; Facilitated by Clackamas County Hamlet Liaison • ODF, ODA, DEQ, Clackamas County WES and Planning Dept. • Attended by about 75 people, mostly from Shadow Wood • Had rehearsed “talking points” with co-worker, but nothing written • Was basically “burned at the stake” • Remained calm even when accused of intentionally causing harm to homeowners sleeping child from falling tree in windstorm • Had no contact with newspaper reporter after meeting • Was criticized after newspaper articles for not supporting the FPA & mishandling the situation; was supported by ODF though
Other Urban Interface Experiences • Personal relationships with G.O.’s and N.G.O’s where logging regularly occurs • County planners, CPO’s and HOA’s, City planners, local newspapers, Columbia Gorge Scenic area, ODFW, ODOT, DSL • “Urban” people have different values and mindsets than “rural” people who are accustomed to farming and forestry operations • Want “parklike” forests and RMA’s with non-native tree species, but native wildlife • Expect FPA to be as stringent as city ordinances or protections on Federal land • Example: Expected silt fence along the entire property boundary at Shadow wood to control surface runoff. • Expect more than a handful of wildlife species to receive protection
Lessons Learned • Pro-active Communication; Subscription process • Continued Urban Forest Education Programs; TCUSA, etc. • Stronger ties with G.O’s and N.G.O’s During Development Harmon’s Crest before Development