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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 12, 2006 Oregon’s role in federal forest planning State forester Marvin Brown will look for ways to positively influence national policy on forest lands that affect Oregon By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune State Forester Marvin Brown wants Oregonians to start talking about the biggest footprints in the state. Not those left by the legendary Bigfoot, but the federal lands that comprise roughly 59 percent of Oregon. "It’s the 800-pound gorilla that’s always there," he said during a visit to Medford Wednesday. "Federal lands have a big influence in Oregon. It’s a big influence from a fire protection standpoint, from community and forest health, from economic opportunities. "The big challenge is how to become part of that," he added. He was referring to the fact Gov. Ted Kulongoski directed the Board of Forestry and the Department of Forestry more than a year ago to take a lead role in elevating state participation in planning for the management of federal forestlands. Advertisement The issue isn’t the U.S. Forest Service or the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Brown stressed. "I’m talking about federal policy, about what the president recommends, about what Congress approves, about the laws Congress puts in place," he said. "That’s where the discussion needs to be focused." The goal is to create a unified vision of how federal lands can contribute to the state’s health and well being, said Brown, 53, a former state forester for Missouri. Appointed to his present post in 2003, Brown is also the 2006 national president of the Society of American Foresters. Not everyone wants to see the state working closer with Uncle Sam on land policy, he observed. "When we first started talking about it, about the board and the department getting more involved, a lot of people strongly objected," he said. Some felt the state lacked the expertise while others, including some within federal agencies, were concerned about their federal toes being stepped on, he noted. Yet the ODF already works closely with federal agencies on such issues as regulating slash burning and on wildfire suppression, he said. Last month, the governor signed a cooperative agreement with the BLM regarding planning for the former Oregon & California Railroad Co. lands the agency now manages. The legislature has also gotten into the act. Last year, Senate Bill 1072, introduced by Sen. David Nelson, R-Pendleton, opened up the possibility of a collaborative effort between Oregon and the federal government. During the 2003 legislature, House Bill 2327 developed from a working group established a system of sharing wildfire suppression costs between private landowners and the public. About half of the department’s annual budget is spent on wildfire protection, leaving 25 percent on private lands and the remaining 25 percent on managing state lands. With more homes popping up in rural areas, the agency is spending more time educating rural homeowners about building defensible spaces from wildfires, Brown said. Brown believes it will be another 18 months or so before the state becomes fully engaged with federal land issues. "We’re continuing to work through what is the best process, and how to get federal folks involved," he said. Ultimately, the board of forestry, after having received suggestions from a variety of sources, will create an official position on federal lands policy, he said. "I can’t picture it perfectly right now but it will be something like, ‘For Oregon to be a healthy, sustainable, successful community, this is what roles the federal lands need to play,’ "he said. That doesn’t mean the state would dictate to federal agencies, but would be able to offer input in federal land policy, he reiterated. The state would also work closer with Oregon’s congressional representatives, he said. "It’s going to be a very inclusive process — we don’t want to leave anyone out who wants to be part of it," he said, noting that includes local governments. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at Oregon�s role in federal forest planning ">[email protected] . 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