Forest and Timber

Oregon’s Department of Forestry takes another step this week in its fight against the Emerald Ash Borer, better known as EAB.   “It’s coming.  All we can do is employ various tools that we have to slow it down,” noted EAB Specialist Matt Mills.  He said the tiny bug can decimate en...

Last week, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that USDA is embarking on a new era to mitigate wildfire risk.   Secretary Rollins, USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, and Sierra Pacific Industry CEO Mark Emmerson announced a $75 million Stewardship Agreement for constructing and maintaining strategically placed fuel breaks in national forests in Oregon and California.  ...

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday the selection of Idaho’s Tom Schultz to serve as the 21st chief of the Forest Service.  Upon being sworn in, Schultz will replace Chief Randy Moore, who recently announced his retirement after serving the agency for over four decades.   “Tom i...

Earlier this month, thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees were fired, as part of an effort to downsize the federal government.  Isabella Isaksen was among those let go… and says the positions lost support wildfire efforts and other important work across Oregon.   “Permit...

Last week, Oregon’s Ron Wyden joined other senators to reintroduce legislation making a $60 billion investment in forests across the West.  The Democrat lawmakers say these funds will lessen wildfire risk, restore watersheds, protect communities, and reduce wildfire suppression costs.   Wyden ...

Republicans in Oregon’s Legislature are calling for the Wildfire Hazard Map, which shows properties in the state at high risk of wildfire, to be repealed.  House Minority Leader Christine Drazan said rural residents feel targeted.   "Orego...

Last week, Oregon's Cliff Bentz and Washington’s Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joined a bipartisan group of Representatives introducing the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act.  Supporters of the Act say the funding will support classrooms, expand opportunities for outdoor education, help retain and hire teachers, and equip students with hands-on learning resources.  The legi...

On Tuesday, Idaho senator Jim Risch and Maine senator Angus King introduced the Future Logging Careers Act, in an effort to support America’s family-run timber industry.  This legislation would allow teenage members of logging families to gain hands-on experience in the trade so they may carry on the family business. The Future Logging Caree...

Washington State University Extension will host Forest Owners Winter School Saturday at the Water and Environmental Center in Walla Walla.  Joshua Cardin with WSU-Extension said the weekend will be broken into five separate topics directly impacting forest owners.   “...

On Monday, western Democrats issued a statement over reports the BLM has issued stop work orders connected to projects removing hazardous wildfire fuels.  Oregon’s Jeff Merkley, New Mexico’s Senator Martin Heinrich said their letter, addressed to recently confirmed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Acting Agriculture Secretary Gary Washington, “sounds the alarm”.   They said delaying these treatm