April 23, 2024
Member Present: Shane Jeffries, Vickie Dunaway, Mary Opperman, Janet Hutchison, Susan Hermreck, Jenna Deibel, Dawn Alexander, John Shelk
Agenda Overview: Vickie made a motion to approve the March minutes, Susan 2nd the motion. Minutes were approved.
Financials: Same as the full group meeting, Dawn and Travis were paid.
Monitoring: Vickie- We need to work on getting Jill set up with a contract with the foundation. Decide what she will do: needs to help write the protocols for both Wolf Creek and Mill Creek. Looking at 55 dollars an hour in the office and 70 dollars per hour in the field which would include her travel. Kevin and Robbie would be able to help Jill make a scope of work. List of things to work on in the office, not to exceed so many hours working on the protocols… might be simpler to do 2 separate contracts. Janet will talk to Vernita about the contract.
All Hands All Brands- sign-up has been put out online. Dawn forwarded the email from Vickie.
Forest Service Update: Mill Creek objections close on May 3rd. Expecting a few objections.
NFCR (North Fork Crooked River) goes into objections mid-May, this is on the Paulina side.
East Side Screen Amendment- in place, temporary in place 3 decades ago.
NFCR and Mill Creek will be rolling out. Won’t be able to fix the fir engraver problem. Roadside work, areas under contract, campgrounds areas. Fir Engraver touching a lot of the forests in the Northwest.
Still working on the wild horse adoption center, the contract is together with design and build. Still on the 9th circuit court appeal. About 150-160 horses. Adoption corrals will be a place to hold short term, will work with organization to oversee this.
Working on wildfire crisis strategy: Central Oregon will probably receive funding for a longer period. Working on Crooked River Ranch which is the largest homeowner association.
A lot of the temporary employees have been converted to permanent employees. Rappel Center base is going to get 2 new towers and can bring national training into Prineville. Done this year but no training this year.
Lamonta is going to get a new facility. Historic part will be retained. Looking at ways to turn the modulars there into seasonal housing.
Equestrian Trail EA just closed, no objections. On track to go operational.
Janet asked for the possibility of Heart of Oregon to come in the end of the season to do a presentation. Laura Handy would be the best. Youth Conservation Corps- Nick could talk as relates to Forest Service.
Review MOU- Janet hasn’t heard from Vernita. Nothing to report.
Facilitator: Jean has been asked for a range of salary, have not heard back. Sounded like she would start after the fire season.
Grant Update OWEB discussion: We are approved, and Nikka has been sent an email. Foundation gets the invoices and then send to OFRC… something hasn’t crossed Kit’s desk so as soon as it does then we can access the money, this was reported at the full group meeting.
Prescribed Fire Subcommittee/Strategy Plan, Sustainable NW: Tom not present
Agenda Items for May 2024 Full Group Meeting: Discussed Ellie Gage with Western Landowners. Aaron Bottfly with a wolf talk, apex killers. Andy Gallagher and Tim Deboodt with a juniper presentation, Steve Lent with a historical presentation on lumber. Sent an email to Tim and Andy asking them to present on May 20th.
Future Plans: June Beaver field trip and July ZOA presentation.
General Share: Mary is working on adraft decision for Mill Creek.
Jenna had a meeting with Austin Smith Jr. who is the Manager of the Warm Springs Confederated Tribe. Discussed the possibility of getting OFRC involved in attending the Harmony Workshop next year.
Jenna spoke with the Facilitator from the Wasco County Forest Collaborative and how he has been successful in getting local environmental groups included. Recommendations: focus on getting our general membership up and more solid before inviting more environmental groups. Working on more diversity: education on tribal management on forested lands. Environmental Justice education- Ecology of our ecosystems, not just timber. They focus on non-timber resources. Umatilla is very active in outreach, some great speakers.
Jenna has a planning/interdisciplinary meeting every Wed. meeting.
Forestry and Natural Resources partner- Ari, is on maternity leave so Jenna will be helping cover her duties.
Website Update: Tom not present
Susan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vickie 2nd the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 pm.
