New bylaws, principles, and maybe longer meetings
The Federal Land Management Subcommittee (of the Natural Resources Policy Steering Committee) is meeting as part of the AOC Day schedule (second Monday of the month) in Salem. Meetings have been running from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m., with the Natural Resources Steering Committee meeting beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Committee Tri-Chairs Tim Freeman, Association of O&C Counties (AOCC), Mark Owens, Eastern Oregon Counties Association (EOCA) and Simon Hare (AOC Natural Resources Steering Committee Co-Chair) are leading a discussion to develop a revised set of principles that reflect a sharper focus on county involvement in federal decision making, and highlight social and economic impacts of federal land management policies.
Also being developed is a work plan for 2018. Hot items include: development of a coordinated set of principles between AOCC, EOCA and AOC so all organizations can speak with one voice; working for the passage of federal lands management legislation in Congress; developing a program to reach out to urban county commissioners and opinion makers; and development of messaging related to a fair and equitable payment for federal lands counties.
The members of the subcommittee recognize that Congress is moving toward legislation that could actually make it all the way through the process. There is strong energy to use our voices to inform the dialogue in Washington, D.C. and work to ensure our issues are part of the final package passed by the House of Representatives.
These are ambitious goals and will take a lot of work. One-hour meetings are proving to be a challenge due to the complex nature of these discussions. Subcommittee leadership is considering various options, including reconvening the after the full committee meets. Stay tuned.
Contributed by: Susan Morgan | AOC Policy Manager