Public hearings are scheduled April 19 – 21 to gather feedback on a rules package establishing the identification criteria for the wildland-urban interface and development of a statewide wildfire risk map, as required by Senate Bill 762.
Senate Bill 762 is comprehensive legislation passed with bipartisan support that will provide more than $220 million to help Oregon modernize and improve wildfire preparedness through three key strategies: creating fire-adapted communities, developing safe and effective response, and increasing the resiliency of Oregon’s landscapes.
Comments can be made at any of the virtual public meetings: 9 a.m. April 19, 2 p.m. April 20 and 7 p.m. April 21. All meetings are via Zoom.
Comments can also be sent to [email protected] until 5 p.m. May 2.
The department consulted a Rulemaking Advisory Committee comprised of 26 members representing a wide variety of stakeholder interests while drafting the proposed rules. The rules will be used by Oregon State University to develop and maintain the statewide wildfire risk map, which includes assigning one of five risk classes to individual properties. The rules establish the notification process to property owners and how to appeal assignment of a risk classification.
The notice of proposed rulemaking is available at oregon.gov/odf.
