Dear national forest stakeholder,
We are writing to share more detailed information with you about the upcoming NW Forest Plan public listening sessions. The listening sessions are open to the public, and we encourage you to share this information with others who may want to participate.
As announced on February 18, the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest (OR, WA) and Pacific Southwest (CA) Regions are beginning a public conversation on the process for revising forest land management plans in the Northwest Forest Plan amendment area. The Forest Service is holding a series of public listening sessions, and detailed information is provided below.
Portland, OR:
- Date: Tuesday March 17
- Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
- Address: 8235 Northeast Airport Way, Portland, OR, 97220
- Room: St. Helens Ballroom
- Parking: Parking is free
- Driving Directions: http://www.sheratonportlandairport.com/drivingdirections
Seattle, WA:
- Date: Wednesday March 18
- Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: The Conference Center at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Address: 17801 International Blvd. (Pacific Hwy S), Seattle, WA 98158
- Room: International Ballroom Auditorium
- Parking: Parking is free but must be validated inside the conference center
- Driving Directions: http://www.portseattle.org/Business/Conference-Facilities/The-Conference-Center-at-Sea-Tac/Pages/Directions.aspx
Redding, CA:
- Date: Wednesday March 25
- Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Red Lion Hotel
- Address: 1830 Hilltop Drive, Redding, CA, 96002
- Room: Sierra/Trinity Rooms
- Parking: Parking is free
- Driving Directions: http://www.redlion.com/redding/map-directions
The goals of the listening sessions are:
- Sharing information about plan revision, the 2012 planning rule, and the role of science.
- Outlining our current thinking about the plan revision strategy.
- Gathering ideas from stakeholders on the revision process.
The land management plan revisions will be completed under the 2012 planning rule, which places a strong emphasis on public engagement and collaboration throughout the process.
The Northwest Forest Plan was created in 1994 with the intent of protecting the critical habitat of the northern spotted owl while maintaining a viable forest products industry in the Pacific Northwest. The Plan amended 26 land use plans, spanning 24 million acres of Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service-managed lands in Northern California, Washington and Oregon.
To request a reasonable accommodation, such as sign language interpretation, other assistive technology or language translation services, please contact Emily Platt no later than 3/4/2015. Emily can be reached via email at: [email protected] or by phone at 503-808-2970, or federal relay service: 800-877-8339.
We hope to see you at the listening sessions.