To initiate the forest management on the Elliott State Research Forest, the Department of State Lands and Oregon State University are seeking an Incidental Take Permit (ITP). In order to get the ITP, they must have an approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
OHA has submitted written comments on the draft HCP in support of the preferred alternative, which will allow the forest to remain open to public access and hunting throughout the duration of the 80-year HCP.
The forest consists of 83,000 acres in Coos and Douglas counties that were formerly managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry to generate revenue for the state’s Common School Fund. After much political wrangling, the State Land Board finally agreed to turn over management of the forest to OSU to manage as a research forest.
Throughout this process, OHA has had a representative on an advisory committee, former state Vice President Ken McCall, to ensure that the future plans for the forest would include the access and inclusion of hunting. —Mike Totey
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