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Thu 2nd February Conservation groups have come up with an alternative to the government’s solution to the fiscal crisis facing the Oregon timber industry. Steve Best has more
The government has suggested meeting the $110 million shortfall for Oregon by increasing timber production from federal forests known as “O&C Land”.
Conservation groups do not believe this is sustainable, and are proposing that the state and the federal government share the load.
The groups want to raise state harvest taxes on private timber, and they want federal land transferred to U.S.Forest Service ownership.
Conservationists are also calling on voters in timber counties to raise their property taxes, which are among the lowest in the state.
