INR Projects related to Land Use and Planning:

Salmon Anchor Habitat Project -- Managing Northwest Oregon state forests for diverse values has proved contentious. Some groups argue that timber production should be the primary purpose of these forests and that forest plans restrict timber harvesting too much. Others contend that forest plans do not adequately protect the best remaining coastal salmon habitats. Ultimately, the 2003 Oregon Legislature directed the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to review its Salmon Anchor Habitat strategy for Northwest Oregon state forests, focusing on its scientific basis, effectiveness, and revenue implications. ODF asked the Institute to convene a Work Group mandated by the Legislature to assure an unbiased approach to the review. INR staff designed a process based on the “consensus conference” model to engage the stakeholders directly with 14 scientific experts, provided research and report writing and moderated a series of meetings, culminating with a final report to the Legislature.

Oregon Fire Program Review -- The wildfire situation in Oregon is changing. Fuel buildups and climatic shifts produce larger, more frequent and severe fires and longer fire seasons. Residential development in forests, recreation growth, budget limitations and rural firefighting capacity reductions are compounding these challenges. Fire readiness and suppression costs are rising dramatically. Following Oregon’s recent devastating fire seasons, ODF asked the Institute to assist in a comprehensive review of the Department’s Fire Program. The Institute has assisted in the design of the program review process and is utilizing Oregon State University (OSU) faculty in scoping the work plans. OSU faculty from the Colleges of Forestry, Business and Liberal Arts, along with University of Oregon planning faculty, are reviewing the work to assure the best available science, legal or policy analysis.

Aggregate Mining -- Since the beginning of land use planning in Oregon, conflicts have arisen between mining of sand and gravel and protection of other resource lands, especially farmlands. The Legislature has attempted to resolve these conflicts for many years without being able to satisfy the many competing needs-prime farmland, aggregate for construction and salmon habitat in rivers and streams. Following the 2003 Legislature, the Governor’s Office called on the Oregon Consensus Program (OCP) at Portland State University to bring together the various stakeholders. OCP and the Governor’s Office asked the Institute to provide the research and data needed to facilitate the dispute. Faculty from the Colleges of Engineering and Science at OSU are providing technical assistance to the OCP. The Institute and OCP will provide a final report summarizing the findings and feasibility of stakeholder group recommendations for the 2005 Legislature.

OWEB Acquisition Prioritization -- ORNHIC completed a project for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) to develop priorities for evaluating acquisition projects. ORNHIC identified priority ecological systems, species and rare plant communities in each of 15 Oregon basins.