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Dear OPB,

Rather than a photo of a stove top, why not a photo of a hurricane or a 47 mile long clear cut? More LNG lines in Oregon would create permanent clear cuts and only worsen climate change giving rise to all kinds of climate related problems (ie increased numbers of hurricanes, flooding, etc).

We should focus on alternative energy sources, reduce energy demand, and do what we can to protect some of the worlds best carbon sinks: Oregon's forests. Recent studies show that Oregon has 6 of the top 10 carbon storing forests in the country. Cutting them down to put in more gas pipelines is going in the opposite direction we should be going.

Erik Fernandez
Oregon Wild

posted 3 years ago
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Mr Partin isn't telling the whole truth. He said we only have 6 years worth of plantations to thin... the Mount Hood National Forest alone has 2,600 plantations - that will take decades to thin. Every other Oregon forest is the same - lots of plantations that need thinning, a more accurate estimate is that there are several decades of thinning plantations/restoration logging to be had.

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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One of the best things Oregon can do to help curb global warming is to protect the forests that are absorbing half the pollution our state generates.  We need to shift the focus of jobs in the woods from clear cutting old-growth to restoring all of the bazillion stands that were clear cut and are now over crowded unhealthy plantations.  This is a huge step in the right direction as it takes the terrible logging plan off the table, but lets remember these old-growth forests still lack permanent protection. 

Thank you to Obama for getting rid of this old-growth clear cutting plan.

Erik Fernandez
Oregon Wild

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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hmmm, lets keep it friendly shall we. I don't remember hearing Erik Fernandez say anything about the boyscouts. I'm pretty sure I said that the vast majority of the trails(including 100% of the popular trails) that were originally proposed for Wilderness were subsequently dropped from the bill and will remain open to bikes. Compromise means not everyone gets what they want. The end result is a balanced bill.
Bikes are great, and they are fine in most places. Wilderness is about a lot more than just bikes- congress had to consider all of the issues - global warming, salmon, hiking, wildflower meadows, rafting, and clean drinking water.
Erik Fernandez
Oregon Wild

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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Several posts had questions that I'll take a stab at answering.
1. There will not be an "EIS" or "Environmental Impact Statement" for the Wilderness bill - it is considered an act of congress that becomes law, so rather than go through the administrative process, it has to go through the political process.
2. The Cooper Spur Land Trade - while the land trade may not be perfect, it is the best solution to a difficult problem. The fundamental, bottom line question is would you prefer to see the north side of Mount Hood turned into a destination resort or would you rather focus development in one location around Government Camp.
3. Bike trails - The original versions of this bill (5+yrs ago) would have had a significant impact on bike trails, closing many. After years of negotiation, no one got everything they wanted, but the vast majority of bike trails will not be impacted at all. In fact the legislation contains a new designation for bike areas called the Mt Hood National Recreation Area.
4. Funding for trails - You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks more funding for the US Forest Service isn't needed. Given that this bill was already being watched by the budget hawks, it wasn't likely to be done as part of this bill.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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The US Senate just held a very important vote this morning to move forward with protection for these Wilderness areas. In Oregon it would include Wilderness protection for Mount Hood and the Gorge, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and Badlands. About 202,000 acres total for Oregon.
Keep in mind that currently only 3.7% of Oregon is protected as Wilderness, which is not a balanced approach no matter where you are on the political spectrum. Consider that 11% of WA, 14% of CA and even Idaho has protected 7.5% of their state.
Wilderness not only protects clean drinking water, but it is good for anyone who likes to hunt, fish, hike, camp, raft, kayak, canoe, snowshoe etc. Wilderness protects the land people and wildlife to enjoy in a sustainable low impact manner. I regularly lead organized hikes and snowshoe treks for the public into these areas, and the response is always overwhelmingly - "I can't believe this amazing place isn't already protected".
For more information on any of the areas included in the legislation check out our website for maps and background: www.oregonwild.org/wilderness

Erik Fernandez
Oregon Wild

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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Question for Merkley:
Will Merkley help correct the imbalance of unprotected Wilderness in Oregon?
Wilderness protection is the best way to protect Oregon's clean drinking water, wildlife and recreational opportunities - all the while attracting businesses looking to locate somewhere with a high quality of life.

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
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