Forest and Timber

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are calling for the Wildfire Hazard Map, which shows properties in the state at high risk of wildfire, to be repealed.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

Senators from Oregon and Idaho are pushing for Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Act before funding runs out.  States with timber on federal land depend on the program for funding schools and other projects that would have been paid for by timber harvests, which aren’t allowed on federal land.   “The S...

The Trump Administration says it's reviewing federal spending, in an effort to cut waste, and that has some Oregon lawmakers concerned about what MIGHT be deemed wasteful.  With the ongoing threat of cuts to federal programs and funding, Oregon stands to lose millions in anticipated payments.  U....

California’s devastating wildfires serve as a reminder for those across the Northwest to prepare their properties for the upcoming fire season.  An Oregon State Fire Marshal program providing property assessments is getting more popular, as more Oregonians work to create defensible space ahead of the next wildfire.   “Over ...