Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
Santiam State Forest timber harvesting and recreation activities have produced benefits totaling $6.7 million in fiscal year 2022 to surrounding counties, according to a report released Dec. 12, by state officials.
The annual Council of Forest Trust Land Counties report highlights the array of social, economic and environmental contributions from approximately 729,000 acres of actively managed state forestland. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) report includes a recap of timber sales and revenue distribution, conservation and forest health activities, and recreation use, among other statistics.
Of the $6.7 million generated by the Santiam State Forest in fiscal year 2022, $3.2 million went to Linn County, $3.1 million to Marion County and $277,000 to Clackamas County.
The forest covers 47,000 acres, although 16,000 acres were damaged by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.
ODF’s North Cascades District continues to work to remove hazards, repair roads and trails, and re-open Santiam State Forest areas to public access once it becomes safe to do so. Some popular destinations, such as the Shellburg Falls recreation area, remain closed. Additionally, ODF planted more than 880,000 seedlings on burned forestland in fiscal year 2022.
“Oregonians have a lot to be proud of when it comes to their state forestlands,” state forester Cal Mukumoto said. “These working lands provide so much to so many, including funding for vital local services, places to connect with nature, clean water, and habitat for some of Oregon’s most rare and sensitive species.”
Statewide, counties and local governments received $61.8 million in fiscal year 2022, collected from timber sales on the state-owned forests. Revenues are distributed based on timber sales within a particular jurisdiction. Other highlights include replanting more than 3.6 million trees, hosting more than 26,000 campers at ODF campgrounds, and maintaining hundreds of miles of motorized and non-motorized trails.
Counties and local service providers receive approximately 64 percent of net revenues from timber harvests on state forests. The remaining revenues finance most aspects of state forest management, including ODF’s recreational offerings, environmental enhancement projects, replantings after timber harvests, and forest road maintenance. The state’s share of revenue was approximately $35.5 million in fiscal year 2022. The agency also receives a portion of all-terrain vehicle operating permit fees.
State forests managed by the ODF are distributed across 15 counties, with the largest being the Clatsop and Tillamook state forests on the north coast, the Santiam State Forest, and the Gilchrist and Sun Pass state forests in Klamath County. Other scattered tracts can be found throughout Western Oregon. Many state forest employees also are part of Oregon’s coordinated fire protection system, which provides resources and expertise during fire season.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To see the Oregon Department of Forestry’s 18-page annual report go to https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/workingforests/cftlc-annual-report-2022.pdf
