HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.10.13 Forest Lands Commission Minutes Action Minutes FOR A MEETING OF THE
ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Siskiyou Room, Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
I. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM
II. INTRODUCTIONS
Commissioners Present: Melody Norris, Craig Gorson, , John Williams, Tony Kerwin.
Chris Iverson called in, but did not vote.
Others: Chris Chambers, Margueritte Hickman, Vicky Sturtevant, Gary Poole, Greg
Len-house.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 8th meeting
M/S to approve Williams/Gorson. All ayes, Norass abstained since she was absent at last
meeting.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM
None.
V. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
VI. BUSINESS
A. Public Outreach Plan Continued Discussion
Chris Iverson explained the Watershed map idea and plans to create a flyer to
solicit maps from local artists to create rough sketches for judging by the FLC.
Once selected, the artist will consult with the FLC on the elements of the map and
finish the full blown map in a couple months for printing. Iverson would like to
print a smaller amount of maps to distribute—possibly a donation from a printing
service and then raise money to print a larger set. Iverson went over the key
elements of the map including the watershed, trails, parking areas, Winburn, fire
stations, smoke from controlled burns, riparian corridors, --Gorson made the point
that we don't want to make people complacent about smoke—we need to make it
clear that people call in fires even if it uses some fire department time. Burning and
smoke is usually seasonal—perhaps put that on the map in text at the bottom.
Iverson's list continued to include many other things (see his list on separate
document). Tony suggested streams coming into reservoir, more legacy trees, and
0
Conversation went on to the scale of the map and how to represent other
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landmarks like Emigrant Lake. Due to the artist's ability to show feature not to
scale, it may be possible to show Emigrant Lakes while still featuring detail in the
watershed. The group elected not to show the food co-op to avoid issues with
businesses. Gorson suggested giving the artist something in return as a prize.
Lemhouse suggested partnering with a service club to get sponsorship. All agreed
that this would be a good idea. Gorson will bring the poster up with the high
school arts group next week. Iverson will bring an example of a poster to the next
meeting. Iverson suggested making the contest a City web page that can be
advertised and eventually links added to the online map to get more info.
Chambers said it would be no problem to do that.
Vicky Sturtevant explained her research and involvement with wildfire
communities and education taking place about fire and forest issues. Vicky is
working on Forest Service grant to find out how communities are creating
programs to address forests and wildfire. She oversaw the creation of wildfire
education kits, one of which Chambers brought to the meeting and is available for
use in local schools. Vicky can serve as a local resource for the FLC and others on
education and outreach issues. Chambers will let Laurie Hayden know about the
kit.
B. Input for Council Goal Setting Meeting in January
Lemhouse talked about the Council goals and values discussion. They want goals
that are attainable in 12-24 months. One example that was brought up by
Lemhouse and Navickas is a goal to complete a study on homelessness in Ashland.
Copies are available on the City website and from Ann Seltzer at the City.
Lemhouse also explained that Council is looking at how commission liaisons
function. There are issues with whether or not the councilor is a voting or liaison
member—which doesn't allow the councilor to even speak. An ex-officio status
allows the councilor to speak as a participating member, but still with no vote.
Gorse supports a more active role of the councilor liaison since the commission
serves the council. Kerwin was comfortable with a non-voting role, but with the
ability to give input. Williams agreed as well. Lemhouse will bring back a message
in favor of ex-officio status for the Council liaison.
C. AFR Review &Update
Lemhouse reported that the Sec of Agriculture has remanded the decision back to
the Forest Service to issue a Record of Decision in a relatively short timeframe.
He is continuing to contact representatives locally and at the national level to keep
the AFR process moving toward the decision, especially given the work that's
been accomplished by the Commission and the partnership working on the multi-
party monitoring effort.
Chambers gave an overview of the AFR multi-party monitoring plan, including the
website at www.ashlandwatershed.or . He covered the National Forest
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Foundation grant history and what products were created as a result of the grant,
which ended September 30th. He described the technical and community
engagement workshops and the resulting plans that are being reviewed by
community stakeholders. The technical monitoring plan is on the website for
review, and the Outreach and Education plan will be released soon. Chambers
gave an overview of the website on the screen and showed various graphs and
visuals of data taken and analyzed from the Research Natural Area in the
watershed, which totals 40 plots and 700 more plots are being taken by the Forest
Service in the rest of the watershed. Some of the grant money was used to analyze
the existing data and create ways for the public to understand what's happening in
the RNA's forests.
D. Ashland Forest Plan Update Discussion
Kerwin explained the need for a summary of the current state of the City forests
and the work the FLC has done. Rather than put a big effort and group together
for an update of the Forest Plan, Tony suggested putting together a small
campaign and building it if there is a lot of interest. We can use the City website
and the utility billing newsletter to get the message to the people who would like
to participate. Tony would like to work with Marty and Chris Chambers to
develop the history.
E. Commission 3-Year Goals
No discussion on this topic.
VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Gorson brought up a potential wood to oil production opportunity/technology.
He then asked about a report on the Siskiyou Fire. Chambers gave a quick update
on the efforts to report on the fire and fuels reduction done in the fire area, which
will be forthcoming. Hickman commented that we had a lot of factors on our side
including a quick and large response from local fire agencies that were all in Talent
at a meeting reviewing the Hot Springs Fire of the week before.
VIII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR/NEXT MEETING
A. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: November 10th, 2009
IX. ADJOURN: 7:30 PM
Submitted: October 14, 2009 by Chris Chambers, City of Ashland.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in
this meeting,please contact the Public Works Office at 488-5587(TTYphone number 1 800 735 2900).
Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to
ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).
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