December 12, 2019 3:30 a.m.
On Tuesday, the Oregon Department of State Lands and Oregon State University updated the State Land Board on the exploration of the Elliot State Research Forest concept and significant progress that has been made over the past year.
A DSL release said the progress includes the development of a draft research charter and development of guiding principles related to forest benefits of recreation, education, local economy, conservation and governance. The release said the potential research forest concept has also been incorporated into ongoing habitat conservation planning.
The Elliot State Forest Advisory Committee delivered a unanimous joint statement to the Land Board and recommended that work continue to transform the Elliot into a publicly owned state research forest. The statement said “our individual perspectives on the Elliot State Forest and our priorities for the future may differ”. It said “however we agree that OSU should be provided the opportunity to address outstanding issues, and determine if terms required to address those issues are consistent with the Land Board vision for the Elliott”.
The release said in addition to the work of the advisory committee for the past year, DSL and OSU have engaged tribes, local governments, state agencies, stakeholders, and the public in initial conversations regarding a potential Elliott State Research Forest.
Last December, the State Land Board directed DSL to work collaboratively with OSU to develop a plan for transforming the Elliott into a research forest.
The release said the Land Board vision for the forest includes keeping it publicly owned, with public access, decoupling the forest from the Common School Fund and compensating the fund for the forest. It also includes continuing habitat conservation planning to protect species and allow for harvest, and providing for multiple forest benefits including recreation, education and working forest research. The release said that a successful research forest is expected to be consistent with the Board vision.
Since 1859, the State Land Board has included Oregon’s Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer.
The Elliot State Forest is in both Douglas and Coos counties.