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Benton County

Benton County. Forestland Classification Review Public Information Meeting. Oregon Department of Forestry Forestland Classification Meeting. OBJECTIVES OF TONIGHT’S MEETING Introduction to Oregon Department of Forestry and West Oregon District.

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Benton County

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  1. Benton County Forestland Classification Review Public Information Meeting

  2. Oregon Department of ForestryForestland Classification Meeting • OBJECTIVES OF TONIGHT’S MEETING • Introduction to Oregon Department of Forestry and West Oregon District. • Provide a background on Forestland Classification. • Discuss Classification processes and major decision points. • Review findings. • Receive public input.

  3. History and Overview of Forestland Classification • ODF has been providing fire protection in the West Oregon District since the 1950’s. • No written history exists of Forest Land Classification on the West Oregon District • Forestland classification and the corresponding per acre fire patrol assessments are the major funding component for ODF’s protection system.

  4. History and Overview of Forestland Classification • Classification identifies the land’s vegetation type for assessment purposes. This process also determines which lands are not to be assessed fire patrol within the ODF District. • The Forest Land Classification process is outlined in ORS 526. • This is the first major effort to examine and classify lands in Benton County. The original “classification” assumed all lands should be protected by ODF

  5. Why Forestland Classification • Data is difficult to keep current • Assessment data in use is outdated • Equity of the current assessments • Directed so by multiple Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules

  6. Purpose of the Forestland Classification Effort • To develop an ACCURATE classification process and corresponding assessment rolls. • To develop EQUITABLE forestland assessment for Benton County. • To allow INVOLVEMENT of local interests (County Government and Local Landowners) in this process.

  7. The Process for Forestland Classification Review • Establish a County Forestland Classification Committee • Review all lands inside protection district boundary • Determine where ODF protection responsibility exists

  8. The Committee • Appointed by Benton County Commissioners • Jim Wernz, Chair • Rose Marie McGee • George Mears, Secretary • Appointed by OSU Extension Service • Rick Fletcher • Appointed by Oregon Dept of Forestry • Ted Erdmann

  9. The Work • All lands in Benton County within the West Oregon Protection District reviewed by ¼ ¼ section • Excluded Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands • Local Rural Fire Protection Districts involved

  10. Definition of Forestland • ORS 477.001: “Forestland” means any woodland, brush land, timberland, grazing land or clearing that, during any time of the year, contains enough forest growth, slashing or vegetation to constitute , in the judgment of the forester, a fire hazard, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed. As used in this subsection, “clearing” means any grassland, improved area, lake, meadow, mechanically or manually cleared area, road, rocky area, stream or other similar forestland opening that is surrounded by or contiguous to forestland and that has been included in areas classified as forestland under ORS 526.305 to 526.370.

  11. A. Review by ¼ of ¼ section 1. Is it in the West Oregon District? Not classified as Forestland No Benton County Forestland Classification Flowchart (Fire Risk) Yes 2. Is it owned by the USFS? Exempt Yes No 3. Does it meet the definition of Forestland? (ORS 477.001(9)) Not classified as Forestland No Yes 4. Contiguous to or a threat to forestland? 5. Is it inside a City or Rural Fire District Classify as Forestland No 9. Confer with City or Rural Fire District for input on decision Yes No Yes Do not classify as Forestland 6. Inside City Limits Classify as Forestland No Usually with home densities of greater than 4-6 per acre Yes Yes No 7. Improved infrastructure? (ie: paved streets, fire hydrants, etc.) 8. Are forest fuels the primary carrier of fire? No Classify as Forestland Yes

  12. T14S R8W

  13. T14S R8W Sec 10

  14. Major Decision Points • Dual Assessments with Rural Fire Departments • Urban-Interface areas • Agricultural Lands and Christmas Tree Plantations

  15. Current Forest Patrol Rates • $0.7878 per acre, with an $18.75 minimum (23.8 ac) • $47.50 surcharge on improved tax lots • Examples: • 5 ac tax lot with no improvements - $18.75 • 5 ac tax lot with a house on it - $66.25 • 40 ac tax lot with no improvements - $31.52 • 40 ac tax lot with a house and shop - $79.02

  16. Timeline • Committee Meetings • 20 meetings (May 2008 – Sep 2009) • Public Meetings • Alsea, Philomath, Corvallis • Public Hearing (ORS 526.328) • Fall of 2009 or winter 2010

  17. Appeal Process • Outlined in ORS 526.332

  18. Maintenance • Benton County Forestland Classification Committee (BCFCC) will meet periodically to review classification • Meet at a minimum of once per year • Future development in the county • Future annexations into city limits

  19. Questions

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