Timber Workplace Safety Bills Pass Oregon House Representative Wayne Krieger, A pair of bills aimed at enhancing timber workplace safety passed the Oregon House of Representatives today on wide, bipartisan margins. House Bill 2595 makes the illegal obstruction of forest management activities a class “A” misdemeanor for the first offense […]

Forest Industry Urges Comprehensive Solution for Federal Forests –Requests that Wilderness Legislation Not Advance Separately American Forest Resource Council, A group of forest products industry associations sent a letter to Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urging enactment of a meaningful legislative resolution to the paralysis affecting federal forest […]

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter Senate Bill 633 is OFS’s top priority legislative bill which deals with seed preemption. SB 633-A is scheduled to be voted on by the full Senate on Tuesday, April 30th.   Please contact your State Senator and ask him/her to vote YES on SB 633. If you do not know […]

Reports are out that this year may see great returns for Oregon fish. KATU-TV News reports: Fisheries officials are projecting the largest fall chinook salmon run since 2004 as part of the salmon seasons set for the Columbia River. The summer run of chinook is projected to be about 73,000, […]

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Livestock Disaster Protection Act Introduced in the House of Representatives The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) supports the efforts of Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) in introducing legislation that would provide a safety net for livestock owners across the nation. Under the Livestock Disaster Protection Act – […]

By Cindy National Corn Growers Association For many farmers and ranchers, the federal agency that best exemplifies the cynical phrase “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you” is the Environmental Protection Agency. During a Senate confirmation committee hearing last week, President Obama’s nominee for EPA Administrator admitted […]

By Daily Digger Oregon Association of Nurseries As expected by most observers, the Oregon Senate today approved Senate Bill 833, the driver’s card bill. The legislation will allow undocumented residents and others without proof of legal residency to obtain driver privileges in the form of a four-year driver’s card, provided […]

By Oregon Farm Bureau Half Way Point At Legislature Brings Questionable Referrals There is a point in a legislative session in which each chamber can no longer move bills out of their respective committees. For example, bills originating in the House can no longer be voted out of a House […]

By Oregon Department of Agriculture Year one of a block grant program for Oregon counties impacted by wolf depredation has gone relatively smoothly, but less funds are available for round two even as the state’s known population of wolves continues to grow. Nonetheless, most everyone agrees that the money spent […]

Rough & Ready Mill Closure Highlights Need for New Direction on Federal Forest Policy By Health Forests, Healthy Communities Rough & Ready Lumber yesterday announced the closure of its Cave Junction lumber mill after 90 years in business. The closure eliminates 85 family-wage jobs at the last sawmill in rural […]