The Oregon Natural Resources Report - Agricultural News from Oregon

By Congressman Greg Walden,

September 26, 2008 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Greg Walden’s (R-Ore.) latest attempts today to reinsert a four-year extension of the county timber payments program (approved 93-2 by the Senate earlier this week) was blocked by the Democratic leadership on the House floor. The leadership used a procedural motion to block Walden’s attempt to offer the Senate version of the energy tax legislation, which included the four-year extension.

Oregon Food and Shelter, News

Portland, OR (September 3, 2008) –  The health and wellbeing of Oregon’s agricultural workers is a priority for agricultural employers throughout Oregon, which is why ABC is celebrating National Farm Safety and Health Week (September 21-27) with a culmination of activities throughout September.

With the help of a grant received through OR-OSHA, ABC’s Safety Committee has produced a bilingual safety video designed to promote a discussion between managers and employees about making safe decisions while working in potentially dangerous environments.

New forest biomass facility will save school district $76,000 per year

[Oregon Department of Forestry] The Enterprise School District today cut the ribbon to formally launch a new forest biomass energy facility which seeks to save the District $ 76,000 per year in energy costs and use existing forest wood wastes in Wallowa County.The 1.5 million dollar project is the first biomass boiler system to be installed in an Oregon school district in over fifty years. The biomass project, which took nearly a year to complete, is the first project of its type to qualify for Oregon’s new Renewable Business Energy Tax credit, which provided almost a third of the cost.  The project allows money to stay in the local economy, while the boiler system makes use of wood that would otherwise increase forest fire risk.

Oregon Food and Shelter Press Release,

The NW Power and Conservation Council have issued their revised fish and wildlife program for public comment and are holding a series of public meetings throughout the region over the next several weeks (schedule below).  Program costs are increasing dramatically as a result of the new salmon plan or Biological Opinion issued by NOAA Fisheries, and settlement agreements reached by Bonneville Power with some states and tribes in the hydrosystem litigation. 

The property rights organization Oregonians In Action is opposing Governor Kulongoski’s appointment of Greg Macpherson to the Land Conservation and Development Commission. OIA is encouraging people to call their senators to oppose the appointment which normally do not generate such public attention or controversy.  Macpherson came under fire last year for drafting Measure 49 which was criticized heavily for how it was run through the process and the self-created ballot title.

By American Forest Research Council
AFRC News, 9/16.

On September 11, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request to reverse its decision on the Mission Brush case (Lands Council v McNair). The plaintiffs had asked for a full court review of the decision, following the court’s unanimous en banc ruling by 11 judges. The court
denied their request because not a single judge voted in favor of a review. The en banc decision
is significant not only because the court reversed its own earlier rulings, but established a limited
judicial framework for review of agency decisions. It also dictates that substantial deference be
given to the Forest Service’s own decision making process; clarifies that NFMA contain no
requirement for on the ground analysis; and recognizes that the Forest Service must balance
competing demands in managing the national forests, so that wildlife viability is not the only
consideration.

[Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission Release Sept. 17, 2008]

A new volunteer is being sought from Oregon Congressional District 2  for the state’s Citizen Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC). CIAC is an eight-person committee that advises the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) and local governments on citizen involvement in land use planning.

WESTERN LUMBER PRODUCTION DECLINES FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR TO AN 11-YEAR LOW

[Western Wood Products Association]  PORTLAND, Ore. – With the housing market on the ropes, lumber production at Western sawmills in 2007 slipped for the second straight year to the lowest annual volume in more than a decade, according to final production figures prepared by Western Wood Products Association.

By Oregon Forest Research Institute, OFRI News 9/08

When Oregon passed the landmark Forest Practices Act (OFPA) in 1971, the legislation relied on results from the original Alsea Watershed Study, the most far-reaching forest watershed study of its time. Nearly 40 years later, three new paired watershed studies of unprecedented scope are guiding future stream protection practices in the Pacific Northwest.  Scientists working on these historic studies will present preliminary findings during a two-day conference at Oregon State University in October. “Assessing the Response of Streams to Contemporary Forest Practices: A Conference on Paired Watershed Studies,” will take place Oct. 13-14 at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on the OSU campus in Corvallis.

From Oregonians In Action Education Center,
Looking Forward Magazine

In the past few weeks, we have received calls from Measure 49 claimants across the state asking about the timing of their Measure 49 claim.  Here is the latest information from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD): Of the 6,600 Measure 49 claims mailed to Oregon property owners, only 4,500 were returned.  The low return number is surprising and concerning to the DLCD.  There are likely many causes for the low return rate.

[Oregon Department of Agriculture]The Oregon Department of Agriculture has adopted a per-head fee of $1.00 for the livestock industry’s Brand Inspection Program effective immediately. The 15 cent increase in the per-head fee is expected to maintain the program at its current level of service. Because expenses for 2008 were higher than anticipated, the program needed additional revenue to cover future expenses. Without additional revenue this year, the program was likely to face a negative cash balance by 2009-2010. A negative cash balance could trigger legislative action that might seriously compromise the program.

{OR Dept. of Environmental Quality Release}  The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced today 17 penalties totaling $389,972 for August 2008. So far in 2008, DEQ has issued 153 penalties totaling $1,408,785. That compares to 145 penalties totaling $1.76 million for the same period a year ago. A complete list of penalties issued throughout Oregon in August 2008 is attached in a table on the following pages of this news release.

[OSU Extension Press Release] CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State University Extension Service and Oregon Tilth will launch a nine-week course in organic gardening in the Portland area in October, marking the training’s debut in the state.The two organizations developed the curriculum with help from Portland State University; East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District; and Metro, the regional government for the Portland metropolitan area. Staff from Extension and Oregon Tilth, a nonprofit that certifies organic farmers and offers gardening education, will teach most of the classes.

By Don Anslow, Digger Magazine, Association of Oregon Nurseries.

Oregon nurseries enjoy climate, soils, and a favorable growing season that is the envy of growers across the continent. Less than enviable, however, is the long distance between Oregon and several of its important markets.  In 2006, 75 percent of Oregon nursery sales — adding up to more than $1 billion — were to out-of-state buyers, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The estimated cost of shipping these goods exceeded $100 million.

[OR Dept. of Agriculture Release 09/05/08] — The Oregon Department of Agriculture, working with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, is responding to the abandonment of 11 horses that show signs of neglect and starvation. The horses were found abandoned in a rural area of the county earlier this week. ODA is holding the animals in a secure area in advance of a public sale scheduled for next week.  Meanwhile, ODA and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) are conducting an investigation to determine the previous owner of the horses.

From Oregonians In Action Education Center,

Looking Forward May-June 08.

The Big Look Task Force on Oregon land use planning recently issued a preliminary report with recommendations on changes to Oregon’s land use regulations.  If adopted, the recommendations would make significant changes to the current laws. The Task Force recommendations cover five specific areas – resource lands and rural areas, growth management, governance, economic prosperity, and climate change.

OFIC Press Release.

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) today announced that Paul Barnum will be its new executive director effective August 21. OFRI is a semi-independent state organization dedicated to forestry education.  Barnum replaces Leslie Lehmann who is retiring after serving nearly 16 years as OFRI’s founding executive director.

Announcement from Oregon Small Woodlands Association,
The Oakes family Full Spectrum Forestry Field Tour
Sat., 9/6,  9am to 1pm, Open to the Public, Free and Fun for the entire family!!!

The Oakes family would like to invite you to join them at their 240 acre tree farm in South Benton County near Monroe, and an opportunity to participate in a wide ranging discussion of forestry issues. We hope and believe that your day will be the most rewarding forestry program you will have attended. Cheers! Donald and Donna Oakes, Christine Johnson, Dennis Oakes, Marsha Carr, Duane Oakes, Darrell Oakes and Darwin Oakes.

By Water for Life, RETURN FLOWS Newsletter, 8/08

Fort Vannoy Irrigation District v. Water Resources Commission was a stunning decision because the Oregon Supreme Court held that irrigation districts are the holders and owners of water rights beneficially applied by its members but certificated in the name of the district. The Court held that water rights, like legal title to other property, vests in the irrigation district and are held by it in trust, are dedicated and set apart for, the uses and purposes set forth in the Irrigation District law. The Court also held that the Board of Directors for the irrigation district is authorized and empowered to hold, use, acquire, manage and dispose of a water right as provided in the Irrigation District law.

By Jim Welsh, as featured in the Grange Bulletin

The Department of Revenue (DOR) has been in the process of developing rules to the 2008 Legislative amendments to Oregon’s inheritance tax legislation that provided the farmers, ranchers, foresters and commercial fishermen a special tax status for estate transfers upon death of a family member.  The DOR, it seems, is once again complicating the legislative intent within their rule making.  Numerous agriculture industry members, accountants and attorneys are discouraged with this process and DOR’s inability to get it right.  There will be more on this saga as it unfolds.