This is a news release issued by the Oregon Department of Forestry regarding riparian rule hearing dates  (available at ODF News Section): 

News Release

Release date:     October 25, 2016
Contact:
Kyle Abraham, kyle.abraham@oregon.gov, 503-945-7473
Mary Schmelz, mary.k.schmelz@oregon.gov, 503-945-7248

ODF schedules public hearings for proposed rule changes to stream buffers for cold-water fish

The public will have an opportunity to comment on proposed rulemaking that would increase stream buffers 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.

The public hearings will be held in conjunction with informational open houses throughout the state beginning November 1:

November 1, 2016           4pm – 7pm                         Oregon Garden, NREC Room, Silverton

November 3, 2016           4pm – 7pm                         Keizer Civic Community Center, Keizer

November 9, 2016           4pm – 7pm                         Douglas County Fairgrounds, Roseburg

November 10, 2016         4pm – 7pm                         Coos History Center, Coos Bay

November, 15 2016         4pm – 7pm                         Florence Event Center, Florence

November, 16 2016         4pm – 7pm                         Clatsop Community College, Astoria

December 6, 2016            4pm – 7pm                         Willamalane Center, Springfield

December 7, 2016            4:30pm – 7:30pm             Forest Grove Community Aud., Forest Grove

December 8, 2016            Noon – 3pm                       Civic Center Room, Dallas City Hall, Dallas

December 8, 2016            4pm – 7pm                         Department of Forestry, Tillamook Room, Salem

December 15, 2016          4pm – 7pm                         Ecotrust, Billy Frank Conference Room, Portland
UPDATE: Rescheduled for January 30, 2017

For questions about accessibility, special accommodations or other information about attending a meeting please call 503-945-7502.

Public comments may also be submitted online 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 public comment is received, the Board of Forestry will consider final proposed rules in April, 2017.

More information on riparian rulemaking can be found on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s public website www.oregon.gov/ODF at Streamside (Riparian) Buffer Rules.