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Committee hears bill to remove permit‑closure option for public access restrictions on forest land
Summary
House Bill 28‑17A would eliminate the "permit closure" tool for restricting public access to private forest lands during high fire danger and streamline closure types. ODF said permit closures create administrative burden and public confusion; the department and witnesses said regulated and absolute closures remain available.
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held a public hearing April 17 on House Bill 28‑17A, which would remove permit‑closure as an option for restricting public access to forest lands exposed to fire danger while leaving regulated and absolute closures in place.
Derek Wheeler, legislative director for the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and Levi Hopkins, deputy chief for policy and planning in ODF’s protection division, described the department’s authority and the three current public‑use restriction types: regulated closure (most common), permit closure and absolute closure. Hopkins said permit closures — which require issuance of permits limiting entry to specific uses — have rarely been used, create significant administrative workload and would cause confusion for the public if retained.
Hopkins explained that landowners already can restrict access themselves (for example by closing a gate) and that absolute closure and regulated closure are effective tools that remain available. ODF framed HB 28‑17A as an administrative cleanup that reduces workload during periods of elevated fire danger when department staff are needed for suppression.
Committee members asked whether closures can be put in effect outside the typical fire season; ODF representatives confirmed closures can be enacted at any time if conditions warrant and that the bill does not change that authority.
The committee closed the public hearing and did not take a vote on April 17.
