In one region, frustration turned to partnership.
In the photo accompanying this article, you see Grant County Commissioner Boyd Britton and Susan Jane Brown, Wildlands Program Director of the Western Environmental Law Center, seated side-by-side relaxed and smiling.
This photo could not have been taken a dozen years ago.
The two were about to testify before the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Joint Ways & Means Committee in support of a package in the proposed 2017-19 Department of Forestry budget to continue funding of the Federal Forest Restoration Program (FFRP) by $4.4 million of lottery funds; $417,745 of federal funds; and $1.04 million of other funds.
In the national forests of the Blue Mountains, lawsuits and curses have
been replaced by on-the-ground collaborative decision-making, as symbolized by the photo. The Blue Mountains Forest Partners reports a tripling of timber harvest, continued operation of Grant County’s last working sawmill, significantly reduced unemployment and increased home sales, and a halt to the nearly 15-year decline in Grant County school district enrollment.
AOC is neutral on the package, because it is operated under stewardship
contracting, which excludes traditional receipts sharing with counties; has
had less success in other counties; and is seen to be a bad fit for O&C
forests, which operate under particular legislation directing timber
outputs.
Nevertheless, the FFRP is working for the Blue Mountains region under the guidance of the Department of Forestry, which AOC applauds.
Contributed by: Gil Riddell | AOC Public Lands & Natural Resources Policy Manager