Roger Williams

PORTLAND – Roger Williams has been named the new forest supervisor of the Malheur National Forest. The announcement was made Jan. 30 by Linda Goodman, regional forester for the agency’s Pacific Northwest Region.

“Roger brings to the forest a wealth of knowledge and experience,” Goodman said. “He will be an asset to both the forest and to the community of John Day.”

In an interview on Jan. 30, Williams said he wants to prioritize work and focus on forest health, particularly by reversing a trend toward high-intensity fires.

“The major priorities are focusing on our fire salvage rehab projects as well as a couple of other timber sale projects. … In the bigger picture, we’re trying to get the forest organized in such a way that we’re successful in dealing with forest health, wildfire urban interface protection along private lands, watershed protection, just the whole gamut.”

Asked about positive trends, he said, “One of the biggest positives that I’ve seen is the willingness of the community to work with us and to help us to get things done. … We are going to make a difference. We are going to make some changes. We’re in this together. The communities and the county courts both in Harney and Grant counties, the business folks here, and just everybody has been really supportive. We are going to make a difference, and nobody can talk me out of that.”

Later, while speaking to the Grant County Private Woodlands Association, Williams added that he has forged a strong working relationship with Goodman, the recently named regional forester based in Portland.

“She’s a real supporter of the Malheur as are her staff. … I’ve gone on record many times, saying if the Malheur’s to be successful, the regional office has to be in there with us and not wait until the end and then cast stones at what we’ve done,” he said.

On the flip side, Williams noted that the regional office wants the Malheur to accomplish its goals.

“Linda has been very straightforward with me about, ‘I expect you to do what you say you’re going to do.’ It’s called accountability. I figure the integrity of the Malheur National Forest is on the line,” Williams said.

Goals for the next two years include completion of four environmental impact statements, which are planning documents legally required prior to Forest Service action. All of the projects relate to forest fire activity on the Malheur. Three involve recovery on the Easy Fire, Monument Fire and Flagtail Fire; the fourth, called the Silvies Canyon Project, features a green-tree sale for fuels reduction north of Burns.

With legally mandated public-comment and administrative appeal periods, Williams estimated that records of decision may not be issued until early next winter.

“I get reminded every day of what that means in terms of commercial value. I don’t know what else I can do,” he said.

Williams acknowledged that forest health is a long-term effort, and he promised the forest would “start working in a systematic manner” to target its highest priority areas. Part of this will happen as the forest begins revising its 1990 forest plan.

Referring to forest projects, he said, “I’ll do everything I absolutely can to make sure these stay on track.”

Williams came to the Malheur National Forest in December 2000 as deputy forest supervisor. While the assignment will officially become effective Feb. 10, Williams has been filling the supervisor post for the last six months following Bonnie Woods’ move to director of the Interagency National Fire Plan.

Williams has a diverse background with the Forest Service. He has served as operations staff officer on the Fremont National Forest where he was responsible for timber, engineering, lands, recreation and minerals. He was also responsible for the fire program for five years on that forest. In addition, he has served as a district ranger on two other Northwest forests.

Williams is married with two children in college. He enjoys golf, hunting, and family activities. He has a bachelor of science degree in forest management and a master’s of business administration degree, both from Oregon State University.