Policy Scoreboard
Editor's Note: To keep SAF members informed of state society policy activities, Policy Scoreboard is a regular feature in each issue in the Western Forester. The intent is to provide a brief explanation of the policy activity - you are encouraged to follow up with the listed contact person for detailed information.
Tour for Oregon Legislators Held
The Oregon Forest Resources Institute, OSAF and other forest sector leaders co-hosted a field tour in late October for Oregon state legislators with the theme of "Oregon's Private Forestlands - Keeping Working Forests Working." Introductory talks at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem were followed by a visit to lands near Dallas managed by Forest Capital Partners and a mill tour at Hampton Affiliates in Willamina. Participants included four state senators, six representatives and seven legislative aides. This strong attendance directly reflects (Eugene) Senator Chris Edwards' interest and leadership on this issue, as he invited and encouraged his fellow legislators to participate. The tour was supported by an SAF Foresters' Fund grant, and there is interest in holding similar tours more regularly to develop and maintain stronger ties with our policy makers to effectively provide a professional perspective on important forestry issues. Contact: Paul Adams (), OSAF Policy chair, 541.737.2946.
Comments Submitted on BLM DEIS
In November the OSAF Policy and Legislation Committee helped develop and submit comments on the BLM DEIS on Vegetation Treatment in Oregon. The BLM has serious concerns about invasive species and noxious weeds on its extensive land base, and the DEIS proposes both herbicide and other treatments to control the problems. Although no specific position on the DEIS was taken, comments were submitted to provide a professional perspective on some of the broad issues involved. The OSAF core position statement on "Using Pesticides on Forest Lands" was quoted, along with the following key comment: "Clearly, this [OSAF] perspective supports BLM's interests in the analysis and use of herbicides to control noxious weeds and invasive plants on its forestlands in Oregon. Moreover, it does not support alternatives that would arbitrarily prohibit herbicide use or similarly restrict uses by specific plant classes, locations, or application methods that otherwise are allowed by law on these lands. To effectively deal with the tremendous range of site conditions and management needs on such a large land base, forestry and other resource professionals must be able to develop site-specific treatment prescriptions with the discretion to choose among all available tools and techniques." Contact: Paul Adams (), OSAF Policy chair, 541.737.2946.
WSSAF Policy Update
State Government Washington state elected leaders are grappling with a $2.6 billion budget shortfall for the 2009-2011 biennium budget that ends on June 30, 2011, as tax receipts continue to lag due to reduced consumer spending. According to Dr. Arun Raha of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, the recession is over nationally, but state revenue recovery is still fragile. Dropping state revenues are forcing major cuts in state services. Governor Christine Gregoire and the State Legislature are reviewing existing business credits and possible tax increases during the short legislative session that begins on January 11, 2010.
Position Papers Approved WSSAF membership voted to approve five position statements during the fall 2009 election: (1) Sustainable forest management can achieve and maintain healthy and productive forests in the State of Washington; (2) Addressing the threat of wildfire in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI); (3) Management of Federal Lands in the State of Washington; (4) Revision of the Olympic National Forest Plan; and (5) Considering the contributions of Washington's forests involving carbon sequestration. These position statements will be utilized by the WSSAF Executive Committee and Policy Committee in discussions with federal, state and local elected and appointed leaders. Contact: John Walkowiak (), WSSAF chair, at 253.320.5064.
Inland Empire SAF partners with Intermountain SAF to Plan Climate Change/Bioenergy Conference
Featuring the related topics of wood bioenergy and climate change, and designed to attract an audience from outside the forestry community, Idaho SAF members are planning a conference for March 3-4, 2010, in Boise titled "Climate Change, Bioenergy and Sustaining the Forests of Idaho and Montana." It is a follow-up to the forest bioenergy workshops held in Missoula, Montana, on September 22-24 in conjunction with the Plum Creek Lecture Series. Contact: Jay O'Laughlin (), IESAF Policy chair, 208.885.5776.