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MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 16, 2014
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Ed Keith, Deschutes County Forester
RE: Forester update, October 20 work session
Grant Requests
I would like approval to apply for two upcoming grant opportunities. The first is a new opportunity offered through
State Farm Insurance which funds education towards natural disaster preparedness. The second is an annual grant
request to the Oregon State Weed Board, which has funded activities around eradication of orange hawkweed for the
past two years.
Fire Restrictions
When fire restrictions were implemented by the Board this summer there was some discussion of integrating the
restrictions into County code for future seasons. I would like direction from the Board on whether to pursue this over
the winter or if the Board would prefer to consider enacting future regulations on a case by case basis as needs and
conditions arise as was done this year.
ODF Forestland Classification Committee
The first meeting of the ODF Forestland Classification Committee is slated for November 5th from 6-8 p.m. at the Road
Department’s conference room. At the first meeting the Committee will receive an orientation of the classification
process, elect officers and identify future meeting dates. The kickoff which was originally slated to begin in the spring
was delayed because of fire season.
Potential Forest Service / Cohesive Strategy Proposal
The Deschutes National Forest is currently formulating proposals that would act as demonstration projects for the
Cohesive Strategy. They will be looking for community and partner support for these projects in November or
December. The Board way want to consider a letter of support that can be included in the project proposal.
FEMA PDM’10 Grant update
FEMA’s contractor, URS is currently drafting three Environmental Assessments (one each for Deschutes, Crook and
Klamath Counties). The drafts are currently being reviewed by FEMA internally and are expected to be out for public
comment soon. The public will have 30 days to comment on the EA.
Bend & South County Community Assistance Grant updates
Work on the Bend Fuels Community Assistance Grant is continuing. To date we have completed approximately 720
acres of fuel reduction including sweat equity, brush mowing, tree thinning and chipping. We are currently planning for
fall and spring work under the recently awarded South County Fuels grant in cooperation with the Upper Deschutes
River Coalition and other communities and landowners.
Forestry
61150 SE 27th Street ● Bend, Oregon 97702
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