2022 Legislation
PRIVATE FOREST ACCORDS – SB 1501 & SB 1502
Beyond Toxics supports SB 1501 and SB 1502, which would advance implementation of the Private Forest Accord Report. In 2019, Beyond Toxics was one of ten environmental protection non-profits that worked with Governor Brown to reach an historic agreement to curb aerial herbicide sprays and move Oregon to a new era of riparian protections based on science and precedent in other states.
Last October, representatives from environmental organizations and the timber industry took action to protect fish and wildlife habitat streams on over 10 million acres of forestland in Oregon by reaching a new agreement to overhaul the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Thirteen conservation and fishing groups joined 13 timber representatives to agree on key modernizations to Oregon’s outdated forest management practices. The parties agreed on a framework for: 1) riparian buffers for streams, rivers, and bodies of water; 2) steep slopes protection to minimize erosion and protect habitat; 3) an approach moving forward to improve forest roads; 4) requirements to include Tribal participation in adopting rules and practices; and 5) a path forward to make adjustments and adaptation to forest practices in the future.
SB 1501 and SB 1502 are critical pieces of legislation to move this historic agreement for our fish, forests, and water forward.
SB1501/SB1502
Relating to a negotiated agreement concerning private forestland; declaring an emergency.
Directs State Board of Forestry to adopt single rule package on or before November 30, 2022, to implement Private Forest Accord Report.
Directs board to adopt rules related to post-disturbance harvest and to initiate rulemaking concerning tethered logging by certain dates.
Establishes certain exemptions from requirements for just compensation for land use regulation.
Directs State Forestry Department to procure services for development and application of landslide modeling.
Directs board to submit habitat conservation plan consistent with Private Forest Accord Report, procure related services and apply for incidental take permit.
Provides exemption from Oregon Forest Practices Act requirements related to species addressed in certain federal agreement.
Establishes small forestland owner minimum options related to forest practices by small forestland owners.
Directs board to adopt by rule Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program.
Creates Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office within department.
Establishes certain requirements and prohibitions related to beaver.
Establishes Private Forest Accord Mitigation Advisory Committee. Directs State Fish and Wildlife Commission to establish by rule Private Forest Accord Grant Program.
Directs board to establish by rule adaptive management program. Establishes Adaptive Management Program Committee and Independent Research and Science Team as advisory committees to board.
Amends Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Provides that policies do no affect treaty or other rights of Indian tribe or beneficial ownership interest of land held in trust for Indian tribe or held by Indian tribe] certain property rights of Indian tribe or tribally owned or operated corporation.
Authorizes department to adopt rules related to pesticide applications.
Makes operability of new provisions and amendments contingent on issuance of incidental take permit on or before December 31, 2027, and incidental take permit remaining in effect.
Appropriates moneys from General Fund to certain agencies for certain purposes. Increases certain limitations on expenditures.
Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Chief Sponsor(s): Senator Courtney
Regular Sponsor(s): Senator Armitage, Kennemer, Representative Campos, Dexter, Helm, McLain, Nelson, Nosse, Reardon, Reynolds, Williams
Advocates: