Manulife Forest Management Announces New Public Access Program for Northeast Oregon Forest Lands – elkhornmediagroup.com

Manulife Forest Management Announces New Permit-Based Access Program in Northeast Oregon

Background and Context

Following the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) announcement that Manulife would not renew its cooperative agreement with ODFW’s Access and Habitat program, Manulife Forest Management has introduced a new permit-based program to continue providing public recreational access to its managed forest lands in Northeast Oregon.

New Northeast Oregon Access Permit Program

Manulife’s new program aims to maintain public access while addressing the increasing costs and responsibilities of managing visitor activities on working forest lands. The program will commence on June 1 and requires visitors to obtain permits to access the properties.

Key Features of the Program

• Permit fees to offset costs related to property maintenance, safety, security, and insurance.
• Permit issuance will align with the number of tags previously distributed during past hunting seasons, ensuring no increase in visitor numbers.
• Enforceable rules governing appropriate use of the land.
• Liability waivers included with permits.
• Authority to close properties promptly in cases of wildfire risk, public safety concerns, or operational needs.

Fee Structure

1. $400 for Annual Individual day-use only permits.
2. $700 for Annual Family permits including camping privileges.

Addressing Environmental and Social Challenges

The permit program is designed to tackle issues such as illegal dumping, vandalism, and unauthorized activities that have affected the lands in recent years. By regulating access, Manulife aims to preserve the ecological integrity of the forests and ensure responsible recreational use.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 15 – Life on Land: The program supports sustainable forest management by protecting biodiversity and preventing land degradation through controlled access and maintenance efforts.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: By promoting responsible recreational use and ensuring public safety, the program contributes to creating inclusive, safe, and sustainable communities.
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: The permit fees help cover the real costs of maintaining the forests, encouraging sustainable use of natural resources.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: The ability to close lands during wildfire risks supports climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Additional Information

Further details about the Northeast Oregon Access Permit Program, including fees, rules, and permit acquisition procedures, are available on the Manulife FAQ Page under the “Northeast Oregon Access Permit Program” section.

References

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife original announcement: https://elkhornmediagroup.com/manulife-to-end-participation-in-access-and-habitat-program-may-31-hunter-access-to-be-impacted-in-northeast-southwest-oregon/

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article discusses forest management, public access to forest lands, and addressing issues such as illegal dumping, vandalism, and wildfire risk, which are directly related to sustainable use and conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Ensuring safe, inclusive, and accessible green spaces for recreation aligns with making communities sustainable and resilient.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The permit program aims to cover costs related to maintenance and responsible use of natural resources, promoting sustainable management practices.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Measures such as the ability to close properties during wildfire risk relate to climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 15 Targets
   • 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods.
2. SDG 11 Targets
   • 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
3. SDG 12 Targets
   • 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 13 Targets
   • 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of Permits Issued
   • The article mentions maintaining the number of tags issued for hunting, which can be an indicator of controlled and sustainable public access.
2. Incidents of Illegal Dumping and Vandalism
   • Tracking the frequency of illegal dumping and vandalism can measure effectiveness of the permit program in protecting the land.
3. Property Maintenance and Safety Measures
   • Monitoring maintenance activities, safety enforcement, and the ability to close properties during wildfire risk can serve as indicators of sustainable management and risk mitigation.
4. Permit Fee Revenue
   • Revenue from permit fees can indicate financial sustainability and capacity to maintain the lands.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: elkhornmediagroup.com