JoCo commissioners express opposition to Wyden thinning bill
From our weekly issue dated May 20, 2009
A resolution expressing opposition to a proposed piece of federal timber legislation was passed 3-0 by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners during its administrative meeting in Grants Pass Tuesday, morning, May 12.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has introduced the Oregon Forest Restoration & Old Growth Protection Act of 2009. It is being criticized by both sides of the lingering debate on timber issues.
Members of the Southern Oregon Resource Alliance (SORA) presented a draft of the resolution for the board’s consideration during its Wednesday, May 6 weekly business session. On May 12, Commissioner Dave Toler inquired about the nature of SORA as a group, and questioned what it stands for and who it represents.
“I’m just curious. I don’t know very much about the organization,” he said. “I’m not that familiar with the organization in terms of its structure.”
SORA Chairman Jim Frick responded that it is a nonprofit group, founded in 1976 by former commissioner Anne Basker, and registered with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.
Frick stated that SORA objects to the attempt in Wyden’s bill to precisely define old-growth timber.
“Sustained management on these forests varies dramatically,” Frick said, adding that “arbitrary” classifications won’t work as a result.
Toler at first indicated that he might abstain from voting on the resolution “because there are reasons why I don’t like this bill as well.” He went on to state that even though environmental groups and the timber industry have found fault with Wyden’s proposed legislation, it may still be workable.
“I want to get out in that forest again,” he said. “I want to go with the piece of legislation that has the best chance of doing that.”
In its current form, Wyden’s bill doesn’t include any provisions on biomass, Toler said. That is a sticking point, he said, because he has been working on expanding biomass opportunities as a source of funding for county services and economic development.
Board Chairman Dwight Ellis then allowed for four persons supporting and four persons against the resolution to provide public comment.
Siskiyou Project Executive Director Shane Jimerfield was among those who spoke in opposition.
Jimerfield said that he is tired of the “paralysis” and “polarization” surrounding natural resource issues.
“The last couple of years, the Siskiyou Project has been working pretty hard to try and find some common ground on this,” he said.
Wyden’s office is seeking comment on the proposal, and wants Oregon counties to provide input to improve it, Jimerfield said.
“They want to make this better,” Jimerfield said. “That’s the process that Wyden is seeking.” As such, Jimerfield said, passing a resolution opposing the bill is the “wrong process.”
Jon Jordan, executive director of the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of the proposed SORA resolution.
Jordan expressed his support for biomass, and stated that around 500,000 acres of forest burned during the 2002 Biscuit Fire.
“We’re not managing our forests, and we need to be doing that,” he said.
Harold Haugen, a former county commissioner and SORA Board of Directors member, said that Wyden’s office didn’t include any of Oregon’s 18 timber-dependent communities in the discussion on the bill. He added that the Association of O&C Counties sent a letter to Wyden’s office expressing their opposition to the legislative proposal, and that the bill would essentially repeal the 1937 O&C Act.
Haugen went on to state that the forestry industry is the original green industry in the state; timber is a renewable resource; and that there are “more trees on the ground now” than 50 years ago.
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Kerby resident Gunter Ambron and Grants Pass resident Dale Matthews spoke in opposition to the SORA resolution.
Toler stated that the renewable energy market is better than the timber market right now, and expressed reservations that the resolution may not be the right legislative strategy.
However, he wrote a provision for the resolution stating that “the harvesting of biomass should be included in any comprehensive legislation addressing federal forest management.”
Commission Vice Chairman Sandi Cassanelli moved to accept the resolution, and Toler seconded. The motion passed unanimously, amid applause from several audience members.
Toler cautioned those present about continuing the famed timber wars that have divided Oregonians for nearly two decades.
“We gotta’ get away from the heated discussion, folks,” he said. “Look what it’s landed us in the last 18 years — nothing.”
Wyden’s press office did not return a message seeking comment.
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