Executive Summary

This plan updates the first master plan written in 1989. Since then, the forest has undergone a major restructuring of the workforce in reaction to the change in emphasis from timber production to ecosystem management.

The Siuslaw had a total workforce of 530 employees at the peak of timber production. Today, the workforce is leveling out to less than half that. With that drastic of a reduction, it's obvious that some of the facilities are no longer needed.

The forest has been proactive in some cases in getting rid of excess buildings such as the temporary modular office trailers at Hebo and Mapleton and canceling a planned office addition at Hebo. The most drastic step however, is the closing of the Alsea Ranger District administrative site and consolidating staff with the Waldport Ranger District.

Another major area of reduction will be at the Mapleton Ranger District where the entire upper compound complex will be eliminated.

Need for Forest Service housing is also greatly reduced taking into account National Forest direction to get out of the "rental business" when adequate local housing is available. Coupled with this direction is the fact that rents have been increased this last year to make them comparable to local rental rates. This has reduced one of the biggest incentives for living in Government quarters.

Tree coolers are expensive buildings to maintain and a significant reduction in tree cooler space will be accomplished. Most of the buildings at the Beaver Creek Seed Orchard will be either leased to private industry or removed from the site.

Following is a summary of the square footage of buildings by type that will be eliminated within the next two to three years based on this plan: