Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council

Stored: Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council

Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council Type: Boards, Commissions, and Committees Parent organization: Forest Service Top organization: Department of Agriculture Employees: 0 Executive: Chair Budget: Address: 3106 Pierce Pkwy Suite D, Springfield, OR 97477 Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4212 Creation Legislation: Opal Creek Wilderness and Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Act of 1996 Wikipedia: Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council

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Mission The Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council advises the Secretary of Agriculture on managing the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area. It ensures the area’s preservation through stakeholder collaboration and public input.

Services Advisory recommendations; management plan consultation; public engagement

Regulations None

Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council is a federally mandated body established to guide the management of the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area, a 13,538-acre protected area within Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, known for its old-growth forests and Elkhorn Creek, a Wild and Scenic River. Comprising 13 members representing diverse interests such as state and local governments, environmental groups, mining, and recreation, the council provides recommendations to the Forest Service on resource protection, trail access, and sustainable use, ensuring the area’s ecological and cultural integrity for future generations.

Official Site

Mission

The Advisory Council’s mission is to provide strategic advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on the management of the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area, promoting its preservation through a comprehensive management plan. It facilitates collaboration among stakeholders, including government, industry, tribes, and the public, to balance recreation, conservation, and economic interests while protecting the area’s unique ecosystem.

Parent organization

The Advisory Council operates under the Forest Service, within the Department of Agriculture. It works closely with the Willamette National Forest staff to align recommendations with broader forest management goals, ensuring the Scenic Recreation Area’s integration into national conservation strategies.

Legislation

The Advisory Council was established by the [|Opal Creek Wilderness and Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Act of 1996], which directed the creation of the council to guide management of the area.

Partners

The Advisory Council collaborates with:

• Willamette National Forest for area management
• Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center for education and outreach
• Marion County, Oregon for local government input
• Environmental and recreation organizations for stakeholder perspectives

Number of employees

The Advisory Council has no paid employees, as its 13 members serve voluntarily for staggered three-year terms without compensation.

Organization structure

The Advisory Council consists of 13 members appointed to represent diverse interests, with no formal sub-organizations but structured to include:

• Stakeholder Representation Unit includes members from state, county, and city governments, plus industry and environmental groups.
• Public Engagement Unit gathers input through meetings and comment periods.

Leader

The Advisory Council is led by a Chair, designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Divisions

The council operates as a single advisory body with no formal divisions but includes:

• Government Representatives for state, county, and city input.
• Industry and Community Representatives for mining, environmental, and recreation interests.

List of programs

The Advisory Council does not administer programs but supports:

• Opal Creek Management Plan Development for guiding area use and preservation.
• Public Comment Initiatives for gathering stakeholder input.

Last total enacted budget

No specific budget is allocated to the Advisory Council, as members serve without compensation, and operational costs are covered by the Willamette National Forest’s general budget.

Staff

The Advisory Council has no staff; its 13 volunteer members, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture or designated by local governments, include representatives from Marion County, the State of Oregon, and various industries, serving without pay.

Funding

The Advisory Council operates without a dedicated budget, relying on Forest Service resources for meetings and administrative support, with no direct funding history available due to its advisory nature.

Services provided

The Advisory Council provides recommendations on the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area’s management, including trail access, resource protection, and recreation policies. It engages stakeholders through public meetings and consults on the Opal Creek Management Plan to balance conservation and use.

Regulations overseen

The Advisory Council does not oversee regulations but advises on policies under the Forest Service’s jurisdiction, such as those protecting the Scenic Recreation Area’s ecosystem.

Headquarters address

The administrative address, as listed on Google Maps for the Willamette National Forest Supervisor’s Office, is 3106 Pierce Pkwy Suite D, Springfield, OR 97477.

History

The Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council was created under the [|Opal Creek Wilderness and Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Act of 1996], following advocacy to protect the area’s old-growth forests from logging. Established within 90 days of the Act’s passage, the council has guided management plans, including trail access and conservation strategies, with meetings held regularly in Oregon to incorporate public and stakeholder input.

Related

• Willamette National Forest
• Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center
• Forest Service

External links

• Official Website
• wikipedia:Opal_Creek_Wilderness
• Opal Creek Act Text
• Federal Register Notices