Periodically, the Oregon State Forestry Department reviews and updates their rules. This time, the update includes the following changes that affect us:

629-050-0050 – Designated Recreation Areas, Item 9:
A Person may not engage in nudity in a Designated Recreation Area.

629-025-0005 – Definitions, Item 17:
“Nudity” means uncovered, or less than opaquely covered, post-pubertal human genitals, pubic areas, rectal areas, the post-pubertal human female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola, or the covered human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state. For purposes of this definition, a female breast is considered uncovered if the nipple only or the nipple and areola only are covered.

What can I do?

The process requires feedback from the public—that’s us. You can provide feedback by sending a letter in one of these ways:
Email
Deadline: February 8, 2015 @ 5:00 pm
Address: ODF.SFCOMMENTS@oregon.gov

Postal mail
Deadline: February 5, 2015 (provides time for mail delivery)
Address:
Justin Butteris, State Forests Policy Analyst
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street Building D
Salem, OR 97310

If you write a letter, consider the following:

• Limit your comments to only the nudity issues. The changes to the rules are extensive and cover many areas. Including comments on other changes will confuse and dilute your message. If you want to address other changes, consider covering those in a separate letter.
• Ask that your letter be made part of the official committee record.
• Be brief and respectful.
• Include your full name and address.
• Consider customizing and personalizing the attached template to reflect your thoughts on the matter.

A sample letter can be found athttps://www.aanr-nw.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Letter-Template.docx. (pdf) (rtf)

Need more information?
Mike Parker, AANR Northwest Government Affairs Committee Chair
gat@aanr-nw.org • 503.810.4060

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Hearing
  http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Documents/AboutODF/OAR-629-025RecFiscal20151113.pdf
• Proposed Rule Amendments
  http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Documents/AboutODF/OAR-629-025RecPropRules20151113.pdf

Related Images:

Don’t forget – smile.amazon.com
This holiday season, when you do your online gift shopping at amazon.com, you can donate to the AANR Education Foundation and it won’t cost you anything. Amazon’s smile program allows you to select a charity and .5 % of the purchase price for most Amazon items will be donated to your cause. Search for and select AANR Education Foundation and from then on, start at smile.amazon.com to do your shopping.

The AANR Education Foundation’s objectives are to:

Seek partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations in support of the creation of art, literature, and scholarship, relating to the nudist world, its practices, and the wholesome nature of the human body.
Endeavor to develop educated persons and leaders in broad areas of society; and aim to improve people’s lives by developing community support for nudist resorts, clubs, groups and areas.

You are always encouraged to donate to the AANR Education Foundation (http://www.aanr-ef.org/). But here is a way to get Amazon to do it for you.

Related Images:

It’s great to hear of a neighborhood council taking positive steps concerning nudity. The Venice Beach neighborhood council has voted allow topless sunbathing. Melissa Diner, who proposed the measure, sees the issue as a rights issue, that is that women should have the same rights as men. This is the good news part of the story.

The measure still needs the approval of the city of Los Angeles, which includes Venice Beach.

Reading the story in the LA Times http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-topless-venice-20150423-story.html, I was very surprised at the bias the news article took against the proposal. This is the bad news part of the story.

Related Images:

The 2015 AANR-NW Spring Board is happening at Squaw Mountain Ranch April 24 – April 26. There will be sessions about topics ranging from pot legalization to cooperative background checks. There will be Government Affairs Training on Saturday morning. Learn how to do your part to prevent legislation that is bad for nudists. However, there is more than just meetings at a board meeting. Squaw Mountain is planning to show us all a good time with a welcome receptions, games, movies and other activities

Board Meetings are open to all AANR members. You are not only allowed to come, but encouraged. In addition to running the region, we have a great time. Please join us.

Related Images:

AANR-NW is the proud adopter of Rooster Rock State Park through the Oregon State Park Adopt-A-Park program. AANR-NW invites you to participate in this family tree planting event. This is not a clothing optional event. We will be planting trees in the textile portion of the park.

Usually the weather at this event has us appreciating clothing!

What: Earth Day Tree Planting at Rooster Rock State Park

Where: On I-84 East of Troutdale take exit #25

When: April 25th 9 am- 1 pm

Lava Nursery located in Parkdale, Oregon, generously continued their donation of 400 tree seedlings. We value their contribution and solicit your help to get them planted. We work in partnership with Oregon State Park staff, Sierra Club members, Scouts, SOLV, and local community members.

Please wear weather appropriate clothing to this rain or shine event. Park tools are limited. We have been asked to bring garden planting tools, 5 gallon bucket, gloves, and drinking water. However, no tools or experience are required.

Related Images: