One Central Oregonian set to replace another on state land-use commission

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission on Friday thanked departing commissioner Catherine Morrow for her eight years of service to the commission.

Commissioner Morrow brought her vast experience working for the US Forest Service and National Park Service, and a 17-year public planning career in Central Oregon to the commission, along with countless other leadership roles ranging from board service to Central Oregon LandWatch, Grant County Director of Adult Continuing Education, and teaching English as a Second Language.

Spending her summers working for the US Forest Service as a fire lookout, Commissioner Morrow would frequently impress colleagues and DLCD employees by attending meetings remotely from her fire lookout, where she would occasionally be interrupted by the need to triangulate the location of a distant lightning strike or call in a fire sighting.

“Catherine has been a tremendous asset to the Commissioner,” said Chair Robin McArthur. “Her experience and perspective has helped inform the commission’s work on resource lands, forest management, and issues that are particularly relevant to our less urbanized counties. She will be sorely missed.”

Commissioner Morrow will be replaced by a new commissioner after Senate confirmation hearings in June. As recommended by Governor Kate Brown, Nick Lelack of Deschutes County stands to be confirmed next month.

Lelack serves as the Community Development Director for Deschutes County and has years of service to the planning community in Oregon and elsewhere.

Also scheduled for a June Senate Confirmation is Kaety Jacobson of Lincoln County, who will replace Commissioner Melissa Cribbins. Ms. Jacobson is the current Chair of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

“Working alongside our commissioners is one of the great pleasures I have in this position,” said DLCD Director Jim Rue. “We consistently attract incredibly talented, intelligent people. I am grateful to have these new commissioners arriving to help us work through some of the challenges we know our state will face in the years ahead. We know land use can play a role in our state’s economic recovery, and these two individuals bring great wisdom and experience in public service and building community. We look forward to their contributions.”

Oregon’s statewide land use planning program protects working lands, conserves natural resources and promotes vibrant, livable communities. The Department of Land Conservation and Development administers the program. The seven-member volunteer citizen board known as the Land Conservation and Development Commission guides the agency’s work.

The commission consists of seven members, representative of regions of the state along with a current or former elected official of a city and a county. LCDC adopts state land-use goals and rules, assures community plan compliance with the goals, coordinates state and local planning and manages the coastal zone program.

Additional information on the commission and their work is available on the DLCD Commission website:  https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/Commission/Pages/index.aspx