June 13, 2024 6:50 a.m.

On Tuesday, the State Land Board appointed the first voting members of the Elliot State Research Forest Board of Directors.

The appointees are Melissa Cribbins of Coos Bay, Peter Hayes of Portland, Haley Lutz of Coos Bay, Mike Kennedy of Siletz, Bob Sallinger of Portland and Keith Tymchuk of Reedsport.

Department of State Lands Director Vicki Walker said, “This has been a remarkable journey toward a remarkable research forest, one that simply would not have been possible without the effort, engagement, compromises and determination of all those who volunteered their time on past advisory groups”.

An DSL release said appointment of the ESRF board will continue to ensure accountability, transparency, and meaningful engagement of the operation of the Elliot as a public research forest. The ESRF board will guide management of the research forest, with authority to shape research, conservation, economic and social outcomes of relevance at the local, statewide, national and international level.

The ESRF board will ultimately consist of seven or nine voting members appointed by the State Land Board and one nonvoting member designated by the ESRF’s lead research entity. DSL will bring additional candidates forward for consideration at a future State Land Board meeting with the goal of adding additional experience and expertise in areas of forest products or timber operations, research science or research forest management and Indigenous interests.

The ESRF board is anticipated to begin meeting later this month.

The Elliot State Forest is in Coos and Douglas counties.