Benton County Forestland Classification Review Public Information Meeting

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

History and Overview of Forestland Classification ODF has been providing fire protection in the West Oregon District since the 1950’s. 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 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. Forestland classification and the corresponding per acre fire patrol assessments are the major funding component for ODF’s protection system.

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. 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. 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 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

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Forestland Classification Data is difficult to keep current Data is difficult to keep current Assessment data in use is outdated Assessment data in use is outdated Equity of the current assessments Equity of the current assessments Directed so by multiple Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules Directed so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

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

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

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

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

Definition of Forestland ORS : “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 to ORS : “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 to

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

T14S R8W

T14S R8W Sec 10

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

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

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

Appeal Process Outlined in ORS Outlined in ORS

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

Questions