Statement from AFRC reaffirming their support of Senator Wyden's Eastside Forest Plan

Statement of Tom Partin, President American Forest Resource Council

October 22, 2010

"The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) continues to support Senator Ron Wyden’s efforts to enact legislation (S. 2895) to vastly increase Federal forest management efforts east of the Cascades. While other Senators may attempt to weaken key provisions of the bill in the legislative process, AFRC and company representatives from mills in Eastern and Central Oregon continue to work with Senator Wyden to maintain the key elements of the effort: a dramatic increase in mechanical treatments on eastside forests, a predictable and sustainable supply of timber to maintain our remaining mills and the funding and agency oversight needed to restore and maintain forest health.

"AFRC has worked in good faith with Senator Wyden and other members of the Oregon Congressional Delegation to address the immense threats facing Oregon’s Federal forests, rural communities and forest products industry by overcoming two decades of senseless gridlock. Oregon’s forest products industry is currently facing serious challenges, ranging from the Obama Administration’s disastrous forest policies on BLM lands in western Oregon to the nonsensical Boiler MACT regulations proposed by the EPA. These serious threats require the active involvement of elected officials who are willing to put the needs of Oregon’s forests and rural communities first."

Posted on October 22, 2010.