Board opposes fed forestry legislation
From our weekly issue dated July 30, 2008
Josephine County Commissioner Chairman Dave Toler listens to comments. (Photo by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
Despite a dissenting vote, Josephine County commissioners have approved a resolution signifying the county’s opposition to the proposed Forest Restoration and Old Growth Protection Act, and proposed Pacific Northwest Forest Legacy Act.
The OK is necessary “because such legislation is contrary to the interests of their constituents and Josephine County,” according to the resolution.
The board voted on it Friday, July 25 during a regular administrative meeting in the commission conference room at the county courthouse in Grants Pass. Commission Chairman Dave Toler, of Illinois Valley, voted “No.” Commissioners Dwight Ellis and Jim Raffenburg voted for approval.
The resolution was requested by Southern Oregon Resource Alliance (SORA) President Jim Frick in response to the Forest Restoration and Old Growth Protection Act, and proposed Pacific Northwest Forest Legacy Act. They comprise national legislation proposed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), respectively.
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The proposed legislation purports to provide for more jobs and economic opportunities from management of federal lands. But the resolution passed by the county board is critical of the plans’ permanent prohibitions against harvesting old-growth in excess of 120 years of age, and a ban against building new roads in forest lands.
Ellis said that it is time to “take a stand” on federal forestry issues. He noted that much of what was promised to counties under the Clinton administration’s Northwest Forest Plan “went by the wayside.”
Raffenburg stated that the proposed legislation amounts to “a complete capitulation to the end goals of the environmentalist community. I don’t see how that is in the best interest of the economies of Western Oregon,” he commented.
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In voting “No,” Toler declared that the resolution reflected “the same strategy the county has been following for 15 years.
“If I was one who didn’t want any timber production out in the forest, as some do claim, I would be very tempted to vote with you,” Toler said. “This is not a new strategy for this county. I think the results speak for themselves … not much production on the federal forests.
“I am going to be voting against this because I do want more timber production in the federal forests,” Toler insisted. “I think the bill could offer the best opportunity for timber production on federal lands that we’ve seen in a long time,” he said.
