The Oregon Department of Forestry has scheduled three virtual public hearings regarding rules for the statewide wildfire hazard map.
According to ODF, the hearings will gather feedback on a rules package that establishes the contested case appeals process, designates properties in wildfire hazard zones and identifies the wildland-urban interface.
These rules were required by Senate Bill 762 in 2021 and Senate Bill 80 in 2023.
The Board of Forestry approved the public hearing process for the proposed rule package during their June 5th meeting. The department consulted a Rulemaking Advisory Committee representing a wide variety of stakeholder interests while drafting the proposed rules.
The rules will be used by Oregon State University to address irrigated agriculture as a mitigating factor to assessing wildfire hazards in the statewide wildfire map, which includes assigning one of three hazard zones to individual properties. The rules also establish the process to appeal assignment of a hazard classification.
Public comment can be made at any of the virtual meetings slated for July 31st at 10 a.m., July 31st at 2 p.m. and August 1st at 6 p.m..
Comments can also be sent to "maprules@odf.oregon" until August 15th. Please clarify which rule your comments pertain to in your e-mail.
