BAD BILL GETS HEARING IN WAYS AND MEANS -- AND IT IS NOT PRETTY On Wednesday, May 20, the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources heard testimony on House Bill 3072, which makes timber harvest the primary purpose of the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests. Almost all the testimony focused on increasing timber harvest on state
forests.
First was State Forester Marvin Brown. In other-worldly testimony, he claimed that the current plan gives “fish and wildlife habitat the highest priority.” Brown views the current proposal to dramatically weaken the forest management plan as an “interim step” -- a prelude to revising state law to elevate the role of timber production even further.
Oregon Forest Industry lobbyist Ray Wilkinson then opined in favor of the bill as did county lobbyist Gil Riddell.
The sole speaker for other values was Bob Van Dyk, who was
given five minutes at the very end. After Van Dyk spoke, Rep. Chris Edwards
became emotional and upbraided Van Dyk. The meeting was then gaveled to an
end, and Van Dyk had no chance to respond. (Edwards apologized afterward.)
You can listen to the audio here. The hearing on 3072 starts at minute 32:50. Van Dyk starts at 1:19:50. Edwards speaks at 1:26:50.
HB 3249 gives the Board of Forestry
the power to give a clear and long-term conservation focus to special
places on state forests.
Kudos to Representatives Dembrow, Bailey, Cannon, and D. Edwards, as well as Senator Bonamici for sponsoring this bill!
