| Press Release |
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| Oct. 14, 2009 |
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Statement by Governor Ted Kulongoski on BLM forest plan
Governor supports 2010 work plan to provide jobs and revenue for timber counties
(Salem) – “Today’s announcement by Secretary Salazar for interim management plan of Oregon’s Western Forests, under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, is a good first step, and I am pleased that the Secretary gave this the prompt attention he promised when he recently withdrew the Western Oregon Plan Revision (WOPR).
“While the projects announced today maintain the status quo in terms of the quantity of timber produced, they will provide badly-needed jobs in the woods, in the mills and other forest-related employment. Moreover, these projects, because they are largely thinning projects, will make an important contribution to forest health.
“I also appreciate the Secretary’s emphasis on planning now for projects for 2011 and beyond as well as his emphasis on assuring close cooperation between the BLM and the Fish and Wildlife Service so that future projects can be undertaken with appropriate protections for sensitive wildlife and habitats. Oregon is prepared to partner with the Bureau, as we are doing now with the US Forest Service, to move those projects forward. Working under the recommendations of the State Board of Forestry and its Federal Land Advisory Committee, I believe we have a unique opportunity for federal, state and local cooperation that will add value and capacity to federal land management.
“Finally, I am committed to working with the Secretary on a permanent plan for these lands that provides a predictable and sustainable stream of forest products and revenues for our rural communities.
“The revision of the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan and the Western Oregon Plan must remain a top priority for the Secretary and President Obama. Because the federal payments to our O&C counties are slated to end in 2012, we must have strategies in place by then that avert the financial crises that will strike local governments and schools in those counties. And, while the federal land harvest levels cannot entirely replace those payments, they will continue to be a very important component of local governments’ finances.”
Contacts:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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