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Dec. 13, 2016
For immediate release
16-19
More information: Julie Curtis – 503-510-6860; [email protected]
Elliott State Forest ownership transfer process to continue
Land Board provides direction to staff at Dec. 13 public meeting
Salem – The Department of State Lands (DSL) will continue to work with the proposers of the plan that was submitted for new ownership of 82,500 acres of Common School lands within the Elliott State Forest. The plan was submitted by Lone Rock Timber Management Company, in cooperation with The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and with support and advice from additional organizations and tribes.
There was no decision made or vote taken at the meeting on Dec. 13.
Emphasizing the need to ensure protections for public access to the forest, the State Land Board provided the following direction to DSL staff:
- Clarify gaps, uncertainties and ambiguities regarding Harvest Protection Areas; allowable activities in Riparian Management Areas; and enforceable mechanisms, including third-party enforcement rights in the conservation easement.
- Discuss with the proposers the potential for additional partners, including public entities.
- Return to the Feb. 14 Land Board meeting to provide an update before any offer of sale.
The board also challenged stakeholders to step up to find a solution to utilize up to $100 million in potential state bonding towards an alternative public ownership approach.
The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit.
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