The following news release was issued by the Board of Forestry regarding the rescheduling. 

News Release  

 Contact: Greg Wagenblast, greg.wagenblast@oregon.gov, 541-525-6462

Reschedule Notice: Dec. 15 Portland public hearing on proposed rule changes to stream buffers rescheduled

Due to inclement weather, tomorrow’s 4 p.m. public hearing and open house on proposed rule changes to stream buffers at Ecotrust, 721 NW Ninth Ave. in Portland, has been rescheduled. The rescheduled hearing is Jan. 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ecotrust in Portland.

The public participated in hearings and open houses on the proposed rules throughout the state since Nov. 1.  The proposed rules would increase stream buffers and standards for trees left after harvest by 10 feet and approximately double standards for trees left after harvest to protect salmon, steelhead and bull trout in western Oregon.  The proposed rulemaking would affect streams that are west of the crest of the Cascades but not in the Siskiyou region, are classified as small or medium fish-bearing streams, and are determined to have salmon, steelhead or bull trout present.  For all other streams, the current rules will continue to apply.

Submit written or online comments through March 1, 2017 at RiparianRule@oregon.gov or by mail to Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State St., Salem, Oregon 97310, Attn: Stream Rules. After the Board of Forestry receives all public comments, it will consider final proposed rules in April 2017.

Find more information about riparian rulemaking on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s public website www.oregon.gov/ODF at Streamside (Riparian) Buffer Rules.