Kitzhaber appoints panel on timber counties funding
Salem, Ore. (AP) — Gov. John Kitzhaber has appointed a panel to propose a way forward for struggling timber counties in western Oregon.
The panel named Thursday includes representatives of timber counties, conservation groups and the timber industry.
The governor asked them to come up with a proposal by next year to send to Congress that will improve funding for counties and boost timber production, without harming habitat for salmon and other wildlife.
Protections for the spotted owl and salmon bit into logging on national forests, which then cut federal logging receipts shared with counties.
That left them struggling to pay for essential services like law enforcement. When a federal safety net for timber counties expired for lack of support in Congress, voters refused to raise their taxes to make up the difference.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
I like birds. can't you tell. Spotted Owl I hear tastes good on the BBQ, release the loggers to do what they do best. Cut Baby Cut. The preservation policy of the spotted owl has already bee proven as a dude. Let the loggers have at it, all they want is to make their own money!!!!!
Let the entire state go broke in the name of environmentalism. What a great legacy for all to remember!
Sounds like a classic case of give the voter what he asked for. Â
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The Democratic party needs to get more comfortable with this concept. Â