Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 526 § 526.280 — Responsibilities of State Forester; woody biomass utilization; report

Responsibilities of State Forester; woody biomass utilization; report. In furtherance of the policy established in ORS 526.277, the State Forester shall: (1) Establish a policy of active and inclusive communication with the federal government, public bodies as defined in ORS 174.109, residents of Oregon and interested parties regarding the utilization of woody biomass produced through forest health restoration. The State Forester shall actively utilize the statutory provisions of the National Forest Management Act of 1976, the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 that allow the state to participate in federal policy development in a manner that expresses the policy established in ORS 526.277. (2) Promote public involvement in the identification of the areas of interface between urban lands and forestlands that pose the highest potential to threaten lives and private property. (3) Solicit public comment on the location of biomass-based energy projects and conversion facilities. (4) Promote public understanding, through education and outreach, of forest conditions, forest management options, the potential benefits and potential consequences of woody biomass utilization, the quality and quantity of woody biomass on federal lands and the potential for woody biomass utilization to assist in reducing wildfire risk and in enhancing forest health, diversity and resilience. The State Forestry Department may coordinate with the State Department of Energy, the Oregon Business Development Department, Oregon State University, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Environmental Quality and other entities in any education and outreach performed pursuant to this subsection. (5) Assess the types of woody biomass available and serve as an information resource for persons seeking to utilize woody biomass for energy development. Notwithstanding ORS 192.345, reports on any assessment of woody biomass conducted by the State Forester shall be made available for public inspection. (6) Promote public understanding that woody biomass utilization may be an effective tool for restoration of forest health and for economic development in rural communities. (7) Develop and apply, with advice from the forestry program at Oregon State University, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Environmental Quality and other sources, the best available scientific knowledge and technologies pertaining to forest and wildlife habitat restoration and woody biomass utilization when developing rules under ORS 527.630. (8) Seek opportunities to provide a source of woody biomass from federal, tribal, state and private forests. (9) Periodically prepare a report utilizing, to the greatest extent practicable, data collected from state and federal sources that specify the effect of woody biomass collection and conversion on the plant and wildlife resources and on the air and water quality of this state. The report shall identify any changes that the State Forester determines are necessary to encourage woody biomass collection and conversion and to avoid negative effects on the environment from woody biomass collection and conversion. The State Forester shall submit the report to the Governor and to an appropriate legislative interim committee with jurisdiction over forestry issues. [2005 c.772 §4; 2011 c.276 §5] Note: See note under 526.271.