42636 Deerhorn Rd, Springfield, OR 97478

Important Forest Land District

Purposes of the Important Forest Land District are: To recognize that commercial forest lands within the County are necessary for the continuous production of renewable natural resources in the form of forest crops and as such are beneficial to the economy of the County and to the welfare of its people.; To encourage the management of commercial forest lands for the continued growing, harvesting and processing of forest crops.; To conserve forest land for forest uses in accordance with the LCDC Goal; To protect commercial forest lands from intrusion of noncompatible uses by restricting non-forest uses that create potential impacts such as: Increased fire danger and suppression costs.; Smaller parceling which restricts economically feasible management practices.; Economic or social hardships to a neighboring forest owner who utilizes forest management practices.; Inconsistent or conflicting land management techniques.; Set a precedent for additional non-forest uses and supportive facilities and services.; Conversion to other non-forest uses.; Difficulty in administering the Oregon Forest Practices Act.; To provide for mineral exploration.; To provide for farm uses.; It is the County's policy to protect forestry and agricultural operations from conflicting land uses. Nothing in this chapter is intended to interfere with normal forestry or agricultural management or practices that might result in conditions such as noise, dust or smoke, visual impacts or odors for temporary periods of time. Existing or proposed non-forest or non-farm uses i.e., dwellings within the Important Forest Land District must recognize that the intent of the District is to protect resource management activities and that in the event of conflict between residential uses and normal forestry, or agricultural practices, this chapter will be interpreted in favor of resource management practices. Non-forest or non-farm uses are considered appropria