The forestry manager needs oversight. the current planning members were hand-picked by the manager,. This process should be both advisory and oversight. Members of the advisory group should be chosen both for their knowledge, and a certain number should be chosen by people outside the Forestry Department. A number of yrs ago several acres of old growth forest were logged. The investigation showed that since there was no official prohibition about this, an apology and new policy and procedure were developed. The revenues went to support the operations of the department responsible. That was just plain wrong. They should have used the funds to develop outside resources (aborists, e.g.) to do regular observations. Also, this experienced manager should have some custodial sense for the resource. Advertised as #1 Forestry School, one has to wonder what the students took away from that experience. Look for loopholes, exploit if possible, apologize, and collect the proceeds to boost the department budget.
Anonymous
10/19/2022
Despite how one may feel about the management plan of the OSU Research Forests, I think everyone that utilizes the forests can agree that they love the forests for one reason or another. How to steward the forests seems to be where the controversy lies.
I believe that the new management plan needs to utilize current data and technology to be at the forefront of land management. An example of utilizing current data is the scientific fact that trees store carbon and when converted into wood products, that carbon remains within the wood products. This information right here is nothing short of amazing, and is something that should be highly considered when putting together a new management plan for the leading forestry institute of the world. Now this isn't to say clear cut the whole research forest, rather I suggest continuing on utilizing both cut-to-length thinning operations as well as variable retention harvests where seen fit. I believe the research forests does an excellent job at managing stands to become mature stands prior to harvesting, and even when harvesting those mature stands the research forest has done an excellent job at preserving the older structural trees that have many benefits to the landscape such as wildlife habitat and seed trees.
Active forest management utilizing cut-to-length thinnings, variable density harvests is something that OSU needs to continue to do. The funds generated from active forest management help fund the research forest as well as the College of Forestry. OSU needs to continue to be stewards of the land and continue to help preserve other ecosystem services such as water, wildlife, and recreation
Anonymous
01/31/2023
Will the new management plan offer more connectivity from the Urban area to Oak Creek or the MLK park or the Dimple Creek area? Not having to ride down Oak Creek would be a Joy. in the early 1990s, this was identified as a top priority for safety and accessibility. 1.6-2.0 Miles to reach Oak creek from MLK and use Skirt the sheep barn property.
Anonymous
10/29/2024
No ebikes. While I realize soom people have difficuties biking with regular bikes, I have had too many close calls with fast ebike riders on trails. They are not compatable with walking.
Anonymous
11/13/2022
It’s hard to have a super strong opinion on this without having access to the full management plan. However, I am familiar with the past management of the college forest and the general direction management will be heading from this point forward.
The college forest has always had such a good balance of recreation, education, and active timber management. I got my BS in forest management at OSU and spent a lot of time in and out of the MacDunn between class, forestry club, recreation on the weekend, and working on the student logging crew for 3+ years. I think the way OSU manages the MacDunn is a perfect example of a diverse way to manage multi use land in Oregon. In a world of a lot extremes I think they take a very balanced approach to what the users of the forest want and how to keep timber management going with educational opportunities for students/young professionals and some economic stability. I can’t stress enough how much my work on the student logging crew prepared me for my career. Almost 6 years into my job I look back at think of all the practical learning opportunities and how that gives me an advantage in my work. I think the access that the public has to people like Fitz is incomparable to any other land manager/decision maker in the state. Most decision makers have multiple levels of bureaucracy and specialists to run interference on answering the public or ever having to deal with the true public. I’ve always admired how Fitz and Brent approach timber management but I am even more impressed how much they care about the public relations and issues that face the MacDunn.
OSU has always been a top tier forestry program. The education stands out in the industry. Balancing these management styles is how we should be teaching our next generation of foresters. Finding common ground and using science to back it up. Understanding the scope of projects and really understanding the entire landscape you work on.
Overall I believe OSU should keep managing their timber, but also keep the Corvallis community involved with plenty of recreational opportunities. People take for granted their access to public land, OSU does a great service to their community keeping their lands open, many places don’t.
Anonymous
06/03/2024
The forest plan is complex as there are many factors and trade-offs to consider. Please retain and update the excellent historical and structural overview found on pages 6-13 of the 2005 plan. I favor stress in carbon storage given the climate crisis we are facing. Retaining old growth and fire resilience are important. Recreation is an important value in our community, but a balance should be found. Minimizing impacts of logging and overuse should be included in the evaluation
Anonymous
09/27/2022
It is vitally important that active commercial forest management be maintained as one part of the focus of management on the McDonald-Dunn research forest lands. Using these lands to train the next generation of Foresters in real world management scenarios is critical to helping foster sustainable yield forest management throughout the United States. As a Unit Forester for Washington DNR I have had more than one OSU graduate work for me. It is apparent that their education from OSU was influenced by their ability to participate in and learn from active forest management while in school. I cannot overstate the beneficial value of this practical component to their education, and the influence that it had on their ability to make decisions not just as foresters but as land managers and stewards of state managed forests.
In addition to the educational benefits of sustained yield forest management, there are also benefits to our society in maintaining a viable commercial forest management component to these research lands. Without a continued supply of sustainably and locally produced forest resources, our society will inevitably have to import our forest products. These products are more often than not imported from countries that do not have the same robust environmental protection framework that we benefit from here. In addition the greenhouse gas footprint of these imported products will be dramatically higher. Maintaining active sustained yield forestry on the McDonald-Dunn research lands will demonstrate a commitment that OSU is an active partner in ensuring our forest products are produced in the most sustainable and equitable manner possible. These research lands are uniquely situated to support an array of forest management objectives that would foster collaborative participation in the lands management process
Anonymous
01/30/2023
There should be no harvesting of trees over 100 years old.
There should be more trails builit, produce the maximum recreation
opportunities (hard trails and easy trails).
NO eBikes!
Be good land guardians!
Anonymous
10/28/2024
Thanks for hosting the community forum meeting tonight in room 117 Peavy Hall. It was informative to say the least. I am not sure how people can say "can't we just not manage the forest" in one breath, sound the alarm bell of climate change and catastrophic wildfire in the other breath and not understand that they are compromising the very health of the forest, not to mention humankind and infrastructure. I know when the fire engines roll into our neighborhood and look at our next door neighbor, our neighbor across the street and lastly look at our house, they will set up camp at our house because the other neighbors houses are destined to burn based on the underbrush, dead trees and downed limbs. That's the result of ""unmanaged"" it burns to the ground - how come they don't see this? I was sitting and listening to the experts on managing the forest and hoping that my cardiologist doesn't have a community forum of experts like therapists, psychology majors and people who think they know about heart health to decide about my heart surgery. We so appreciate the recreational offerings at the forest that we can't say Thank You enough - so THANK YOU and OSU FORESTERS keep on managing the forests well - as you have done.
Anonymous
06/03/2024
Large trees sequester carbon dioxide, a large factor in climate change. Studies done by OSU have shown the importance of retaining mature trees as well as ancient trees to help mitigate climate change. Contiguous forests are also important for many species. All uncut mature, large and old growth trees should not be cut, because there is more to learn about life while it is still living. Learning how to clearcut is not a difficult lesson; learning about living systems is. Corvallis, and OSU, should embrace the changes that need to be made and show that the studies conducted by environmental scientists are being utilized, not disregarded
Anonymous
09/24/2022
As a former OSU student (one who had the great opportunity to work for the Research Forests while in school) and now as a professional forester, I’m glad to see that updates are being made to the management plan for the McDonald and Dunn research forests. As advancements in forest science and research are made, it is important to consider and incorporate them into the plans that guide the management of these lands. Similarly, it is also important to consider the changes in local perception and community use of these lands. I would encourage the Advisory Committee to make the updates and changes to the management plan as they feel necessary as long as education, stewardship, and sustainable forest management remain primary goals. Given that the original intent for this land was for “the use and benefit of the School of Forestry”, I would also encourage the Advisory Committee to honor that intent and continue to make student education and research opportunities a priority. It is important to acknowledge that sustainable timber harvest on these lands provides funding for these opportunities, and it is imperative that OSU continues to provide this vital service to students and the local communities. I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the revision of management plan and hope that the Research Forests remains a good example of how forests can be managed for multiple use objectives.
Anonymous
10/28/2024
Class 1 Electric bikes are a constantly growing category of the bicycle industry. As Oregon, the NFS, and many other states evaluates Class 1 emtb's and allow them in more and more places, it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Choosing to be on the side of when sooner than later will only encourage people to find more value of the trail areas they have locally, encouraging them to be more active and participant in maintaining and caring for those spaces.
Anonymous
06/03/2024
Could you provide for e-bike use on the main forest roads? I understand the desire to keep them off the single track areas. It would provide more recreational opportunities for elderly folks who need a little boost, and can’t otherwise use the forest. Having more forest management interpretation signs off the main roads would also raise awareness about research activities. You might also get more philanthropic giving , if you had a strategy that targeted getting older people out in the woods.
Anonymous
09/23/2022
I am expecting that this plan re-make will be in alignment with the expectations of Mrs McDonald’s gifting intentions. Those intentions were that the forest would be managed in a sustainable way to support the College of Forestry. This means that in the plan there should be all types of cutting plans. Thinning, commercial thinning and clear cuts. As well as cutting, there should be planting and research about various research projects that will help to educate the future generations so the the research forest will be a vibrant and healthy lab in perpetuity.
Anonymous
01/15/2023
I heard that not many trail runners have given input on the management plan. For me, that's because I'm happy with the status quo. I appreciate the current trail system and my access to it, and am happy to see a steady stream of new trails being built. As long as the new plan maintains this, I have nothing to add.
Anonymous
10/27/2024
It was brought to my attention that MacDunn carbon modeling excluded soil carbon. According to USDA Office of Sustainability and Climate, about 50% of forest stored carbon is found in the soil. https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs... 2Ffiles%2FForest-Carbon-FAQs.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CMcDonaldDunnPlan%40oregonstate.edu%7Cd71d8bcef1fe41a4230308dcf70c11b1%7Cce6d05e13c5e4d6287a84c4a2713c113%7C0%7C0%7C638656878415946315%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J2972FRCp%2F9vsLuk4DDIMeUbr6S%2FMrRaOJvxiOpQN9A%3D&reserved=0 Ignoring soil carbon gives an inaccurate picture of total carbon storage in MacDunn.
Anonymous
06/02/2024
Keep motorized vehicles/devices out of McDonald Dunn Forest. The impact of these vehicles will be high. For example, electrically motorized mountain bikes can easily do multiple laps around the trail networks greatly increasing interactions with other users. Instead of a hiker encountering a hiker once, they will encounter the same biker multiple times. This also leads to increased impact on the trail, not only because of increased trips, but also because people can ride up the trail that normally has mostly downhill mtn bike traffic. The electric battery & motors are easily modified to increase output which also decreases their safety in terms of being a fire hazard. The truth is that once electric vehicles are allowed in the forest there will be no way to controls it and no way to turn back.
Anonymous
01/13/2023
Please reduce your amount of logging. The forest is being logged at an unsustainable rate.
Anonymous
10/27/2024
I am in favor of allowing pedal assist e-bike on the Mac Forest trails. It should be make clear that pedal assist e- bikes only.
Anonymous
05/30/2024
Global warming is the existential crisis of our times. Carbon capture is the single most important forest management goal for all timberlands. In the public interest, all students of Forestry at OSU should be educated about this crisis and contribute to research on maximizing carbon capture over the coming century. This goal should be applied to all McDonald and Dunn Research Forest lands. All mature, old growth, and never-logged stands on the research forest should be preserved in these categories to retain current carbon stocks and to serve as ecological comparisons (controls) for research on converting logged stands to the goal of carbon capture. Individual scattered old trees should also be left unharvested to evaluate carbon capture on an individual tree basis (for instance tree species comparisons). The only research on logging should focus enhancing carbon capture (such as fire resiliency). These research forests are a public domain and, as such, should be managed for the greatest public good. Presently, that goal is global warming. On another note, figure out how not to trash the soil with logging, as resulted from the thinning on Peavy Peak this last winter
Anonymous
09/22/2022
The McDonald and Dunn Research forests are very valuable to the College of Forestry. That being said, the value of the forests is to allow students in the Forestry programs to perform labs and research on the forest. There is little to no value to the students or staff of the College to not have any harvest taking place on the forest. They can perform all of the research they want on intact forests that aren't being managed on the nearby Siuslaw national forest. The McDonald and Dunn forests can be managed in a manner that proves how to harvest timber in a responsible, safe, and environmentally delicate manner. The educational opportunities that the two managed forests offers to students cannot be understated. If the College of Forestry can't manage those two forests for all of the benefits that they can provide, then what does that say as their abilities as foresters and subject matter experts?
Anonymous
01/13/2023
I enjoy and appreciate the substantial trail network in the Macdonald-Dunn forest. I make use of the trails at least once a week, and the forest provides a place for community building through trail running, as well as individual enjoyment. I would appreciate continued building of trails as part of the forest management plan in order to maintain those features of the forest. In addition, supporting local races, especially the new trail race series, will keep building community through enjoyment of the Mac-Dunn.
Anonymous
10/27/2024
I absolutely support the use of e-bikes. All bikes, no matter how they are powered, our subject to the rules of safe riding and courteous sharing of the paths with hikers and horses. E-bikes allow more people with physical limitations to enjoy this beautiful forest having both walked and ridden these trails and roads I can honestly say I have seen absolutely no difference in the writing styles of E bikes versus standard bikes. I believe that OSU is out of step with Corvallis and current times by restricting bike use. Giving all bikers a safe place to ride that is away from car traffic is a great service to the community.
Anonymous
05/29/2024
"Where the forest nears residential areas, consider using enhanced first management practices to reduce the wildfire/fire ladder risk to the homes. "
Anonymous
09/21/2022
I am a current professional forester for a private company in southern Oregon. I currently work in silviculture which includes tree planting, vegetation control, thinning, and forest health.
Please be sure to consult current resource professionals on the practicality of each type of treatment that is allowed within the management plan. Be sure that operations are logical based on the most modern equipment that is available, with cost constraints involved. OSU is managed for multiple uses, which means that money is not always the number one priority (this can be really good!). While the bottom line isn't always the most important factor in deciding treatments for the forests, the funds have to come from somewhere to get valuable work done. If the constraints on treatments are impractical from a cost perspective, the decision to initiate a treatment will become a money sink for the University. If the costs become too expensive, OSU may be discouraged from doing any treatments at all. Here are a few examples that are possible problems if professionals are not consulted on treatment
practicality:
If the use of herbicides were completely prevented on the forest, noxious weeds like scotch broom, false-brome, gorse, or Himalayan blackberry will become extremely difficult to control. Herbicides when used safely and efficiently are one of the best ways to prevent invasive species from overtaking the forest ecosystem.
Preventing certain sized trees from being cut can cause serious hazards for recreators within the forest. While large residual trees are important from an ecological perspective, a rotten tree hanging over a road or trail will inevitably fall at some point. This would pose a serious threat to anybody within the area. Managers should have an ability to remove anything that poses a threat to recreators in a cost-effective way.
From another perspective, fire resistance may be compromised if the wrong trees are left standing. For example, grand fir trees can grow quite large.
However, they have little to no fire resistance. With fire becoming more and more of a reality in western Oregon, managers need to maintain a forest that will be able to withstand/recover from fire events. Otherwise, large swaths of land may burn to a crisp. Extremely high expenses will be involved to fight the flames, as well as reestablish the forest. Harvesting can get extremely expensive if proper contractors with efficient equipment are limited in what they are able to do. While we should protect soil quality, water quality, and the landscape-scale ecosystem with each harvest treatment, we should also remember that these treatments are the primary source of revenue for the forest.
It is incredible that the OSU Research Forests can provide so many benefits to the surrounding Corvallis area, while not necessarily needing additional funds from the university to maintain the Forests. As attending college becomes more and more expensive for the general public, please do not think it is okay to load the leftover costs on students who already have to take out thousands of dollars in loans every year.
The forestry manager needs oversight. the current planning members were hand-picked by the manager,. This process should be both advisory and oversight. Members of the advisory group should be chosen both for their knowledge, and a certain number should be chosen by people outside the Forestry Department. A number of yrs ago several acres of old growth forest were logged. The investigation showed that since there was no official prohibition about this, an apology and new policy and procedure were developed. The revenues went to support the operations of the department responsible. That was just plain wrong. They should have used the funds to develop outside resources (aborists, e.g.) to do regular observations. Also, this experienced manager should have some custodial sense for the resource. Advertised as #1 Forestry School, one has to wonder what the students took away from that experience. Look for loopholes, exploit if possible, apologize, and collect the proceeds to boost the department budget.
Will the new management plan offer more connectivity from the Urban area to Oak Creek or the MLK park or the Dimple Creek area? Not having to ride down Oak Creek would be a Joy. in the early 1990s, this was identified as a top priority for safety and accessibility. 1.6-2.0 Miles to reach Oak creek from MLK and use Skirt the sheep barn property.
No ebikes. While I realize soom people have difficuties biking with regular bikes, I have had too many close calls with fast ebike riders on trails. They are not compatable with walking.
The forest plan is complex as there are many factors and trade-offs to consider. Please retain and update the excellent historical and structural overview found on pages 6-13 of the 2005 plan. I favor stress in carbon storage given the climate crisis we are facing. Retaining old growth and fire resilience are important. Recreation is an important value in our community, but a balance should be found. Minimizing impacts of logging and overuse should be included in the evaluation
Thanks for hosting the community forum meeting tonight in room 117 Peavy Hall. It was informative to say the least.
I am not sure how people can say "can't we just not manage the forest" in one breath, sound the alarm bell of climate change and catastrophic wildfire in the other breath and not understand that they are compromising the very health of the forest, not to mention humankind and infrastructure. I know when the fire engines roll into our neighborhood and look at our next door neighbor, our neighbor across the street and lastly look at our house, they will set up camp at our house because the other neighbors houses are destined to burn based on the underbrush, dead trees and downed limbs. That's the result of ""unmanaged"" it burns to the ground - how come they don't see this?
I was sitting and listening to the experts on managing the forest and hoping that my cardiologist doesn't have a community forum of experts like therapists, psychology majors and people who think they know about heart health to decide about my heart surgery. We so appreciate the recreational offerings at the forest that we can't say Thank You enough - so THANK YOU and OSU FORESTERS keep on managing the forests well - as you have done.
Large trees sequester carbon dioxide, a large factor in climate change. Studies done by OSU have shown the importance of retaining mature trees as well as ancient trees to help mitigate climate change. Contiguous forests are also important for many species. All uncut mature, large and old growth trees should not be cut, because there is more to learn about life while it is still living. Learning how to clearcut is not a difficult lesson; learning about living systems is. Corvallis, and OSU, should embrace the changes that need to be made and show that the studies conducted by environmental scientists are being utilized, not disregarded
As a former OSU student (one who had the great opportunity to work for the Research Forests while in school) and now as a professional forester, I’m glad to see that updates are being made to the management plan for the McDonald and Dunn research forests. As advancements in forest science and research are made, it is important to consider and incorporate them into the plans that guide the management of these lands. Similarly, it is also important to consider the changes in local perception and community use of these lands. I would encourage the Advisory Committee to make the updates and changes to the management plan as they feel necessary as long as education, stewardship, and sustainable forest management remain primary goals. Given that the original intent for this land was for “the use and benefit of the School of Forestry”, I would also encourage the Advisory Committee to honor that intent and continue to make student education and research opportunities a priority. It is important to acknowledge that sustainable timber harvest on these lands provides funding for these opportunities, and it is imperative that OSU continues to provide this vital service to students and the local communities. I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the revision of management plan and hope that the Research Forests remains a good example of how forests can be managed for multiple use objectives.
Class 1 Electric bikes are a constantly growing category of the bicycle industry. As Oregon, the NFS, and many other states evaluates Class 1 emtb's and allow them in more and more places, it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Choosing to be on the side of when sooner than later will only encourage people to find more value of the trail areas they have locally, encouraging them to be more active and participant in maintaining and caring for those spaces.
Could you provide for e-bike use on the main forest roads? I understand the desire to keep them off the single track areas. It would provide more recreational opportunities for elderly folks who need a little boost, and can’t otherwise use the forest. Having more forest management interpretation signs off the main roads would also raise awareness about research activities. You might also get more philanthropic giving , if you had a strategy that targeted getting older people out in the woods.
I am expecting that this plan re-make will be in alignment with the expectations of Mrs McDonald’s gifting intentions. Those intentions were that the forest would be managed in a sustainable way to support the College of Forestry. This means that in the plan there should be all types of cutting plans. Thinning, commercial thinning and clear cuts. As well as cutting, there should be planting and research about various research projects that will help to educate the future generations so the the research forest will be a vibrant and healthy lab in perpetuity.
I heard that not many trail runners have given input on the management plan. For me, that's because I'm happy with the status quo. I appreciate the current trail system and my access to it, and am happy to see a steady stream of new trails being built. As long as the new plan maintains this, I have nothing to add.
It was brought to my attention that MacDunn carbon modeling excluded soil carbon. According to USDA Office of Sustainability and Climate, about 50% of forest stored carbon is found in the soil.
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs... 2Ffiles%2FForest-Carbon-FAQs.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CMcDonaldDunnPlan%40oregonstate.edu%7Cd71d8bcef1fe41a4230308dcf70c11b1%7Cce6d05e13c5e4d6287a84c4a2713c113%7C0%7C0%7C638656878415946315%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J2972FRCp%2F9vsLuk4DDIMeUbr6S%2FMrRaOJvxiOpQN9A%3D&reserved=0
Ignoring soil carbon gives an inaccurate picture of total carbon storage in MacDunn.
Keep motorized vehicles/devices out of McDonald Dunn Forest. The impact of these vehicles will be high. For example, electrically motorized mountain bikes can easily do multiple laps around the trail networks greatly increasing interactions with other users. Instead of a hiker encountering a hiker once, they will encounter the same biker multiple times. This also leads to increased impact on the trail, not only because of increased trips, but also because people can ride up the trail that normally has mostly downhill mtn bike traffic. The electric battery & motors are easily modified to increase output which also decreases their safety in terms of being a fire hazard. The truth is that once electric vehicles are allowed in the forest there will be no way to controls it and no way to turn back.
Please reduce your amount of logging. The forest is being logged at an unsustainable rate.
I am in favor of allowing pedal assist e-bike on the Mac Forest trails. It should be make clear that pedal assist e- bikes only.
Global warming is the existential crisis of our times. Carbon capture is the single most important forest management goal for all timberlands. In the public interest, all students of Forestry at OSU should be educated about this crisis and contribute to research on maximizing carbon capture over the coming century. This goal should be applied to all McDonald and Dunn Research Forest lands. All mature, old growth, and never-logged stands on the research forest should be preserved in these categories to retain current carbon stocks and to serve as ecological comparisons (controls) for research on converting logged stands to the goal of carbon capture. Individual scattered old trees should also be left unharvested to evaluate carbon capture on an individual tree basis (for instance tree species comparisons). The only research on logging should focus enhancing carbon capture (such as fire resiliency). These research forests are a public domain and, as such, should be managed for the greatest public good. Presently, that goal is global warming. On another note, figure out how not to trash the soil with logging, as resulted from the thinning on Peavy Peak this last winter
The McDonald and Dunn Research forests are very valuable to the College of Forestry. That being said, the value of the forests is to allow students in the Forestry programs to perform labs and research on the forest. There is little to no value to the students or staff of the College to not have any harvest taking place on the forest. They can perform all of the research they want on intact forests that aren't being managed on the nearby Siuslaw national forest. The McDonald and Dunn forests can be managed in a manner that proves how to harvest timber in a responsible, safe, and environmentally delicate manner. The educational opportunities that the two managed forests offers to students cannot be understated. If the College of Forestry can't manage those two forests for all of the benefits that they can provide, then what does that say as their abilities as foresters and subject matter experts?
I enjoy and appreciate the substantial trail network in the Macdonald-Dunn forest. I make use of the trails at least once a week, and the forest provides a place for community building through trail running, as well as individual enjoyment. I would appreciate continued building of trails as part of the forest management plan in order to maintain those features of the forest. In addition, supporting local races, especially the new trail race series, will keep building community through enjoyment of the Mac-Dunn.
I absolutely support the use of e-bikes. All bikes, no matter how they are powered, our subject to the rules of safe riding and courteous sharing of the paths with hikers and horses. E-bikes allow more people with physical limitations to enjoy this beautiful forest having both walked and ridden these trails and roads I can honestly say I have seen absolutely no difference in the writing styles of E bikes versus standard bikes. I believe that OSU is out of step with Corvallis and current times by restricting bike use. Giving all bikers a safe place to ride that is away from car traffic is a great service to the community.
"Where the forest nears residential areas, consider using enhanced first management practices to reduce the
wildfire/fire ladder risk to the homes. "