From the Statesman Journal
Written by
Clint Bentz
Along with Oregon's other 141,000 family forest owners, I am proud that my woodland property provides my community with clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and forest products.
Most people think the federal government or big industry owns most of America's forests; but in fact, most of the nation's forests are cared for by people like me.
Family forest owners know the threat to our land is real and growing every day. Invasive plants and pests, severe weather, loss of markets and development pressures are constant challenges. They threaten the livelihoods of many who rely on good paying rural jobs in forest communities. In Oregon, $4.1 billion of the state's economy comes from forests and related industries.
Because private forests provide such important economic and conservation benefits, it's important that there be tools available to woodland owners like me to combat threats and improve our forest stewardship. These programs help us remove diseased trees, protect streamside areas or create wildlife habitat. USDA Farm Bill conservation programs provide essential tools that forest owners use to match our dollars and sweat equity to keep our forests healthy and productive.
Congress is deciding the fate of these USDA Farm Bill conservation programs right now. Some of the federal deficit reductions are likely to come from conservation programs that help family forest owners. I realize that we can't be immune to what needs to be done to get the deficit down. It's important, though, to be sure that conservation programs don't take an unfair hit at the chopping block.
Rep. Kurt Schrader and others in the Oregon delegation have long been champions for family forest owners in Congress. Mr. Schrader is uniquely positioned, given his seat on the Agriculture Committee, to continue to fight this fight. We're glad to have a strong leader positioned to help ensure that forest conservation programs do not take disproportionate cuts in the budget process.
Comprising only a small percent of total Farm Bill funds, conservation programs are a great deal for Americans because they are so effective in ensuring the clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat and good paying jobs our forests produce. Maintaining these opportunities for forest owners in the Farm Bill is essential to preserve America's forest heritage. And that benefits all of us.
Clint Bentz of Scio is a second-generation Oregon family forestland owner and the chairman of the American Forest Foundation, the nation's oldest and largest family forestland conservation organization. He can be reached at (541) 928-6500 or cbentz@bcsllc.com.
Most people think the federal government or big industry owns most of America's forests; but in fact, most of the nation's forests are cared for by people like me.
Family forest owners know the threat to our land is real and growing every day. Invasive plants and pests, severe weather, loss of markets and development pressures are constant challenges. They threaten the livelihoods of many who rely on good paying rural jobs in forest communities. In Oregon, $4.1 billion of the state's economy comes from forests and related industries.
Because private forests provide such important economic and conservation benefits, it's important that there be tools available to woodland owners like me to combat threats and improve our forest stewardship. These programs help us remove diseased trees, protect streamside areas or create wildlife habitat. USDA Farm Bill conservation programs provide essential tools that forest owners use to match our dollars and sweat equity to keep our forests healthy and productive.
Congress is deciding the fate of these USDA Farm Bill conservation programs right now. Some of the federal deficit reductions are likely to come from conservation programs that help family forest owners. I realize that we can't be immune to what needs to be done to get the deficit down. It's important, though, to be sure that conservation programs don't take an unfair hit at the chopping block.
Rep. Kurt Schrader and others in the Oregon delegation have long been champions for family forest owners in Congress. Mr. Schrader is uniquely positioned, given his seat on the Agriculture Committee, to continue to fight this fight. We're glad to have a strong leader positioned to help ensure that forest conservation programs do not take disproportionate cuts in the budget process.
Comprising only a small percent of total Farm Bill funds, conservation programs are a great deal for Americans because they are so effective in ensuring the clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat and good paying jobs our forests produce. Maintaining these opportunities for forest owners in the Farm Bill is essential to preserve America's forest heritage. And that benefits all of us.
Clint Bentz of Scio is a second-generation Oregon family forestland owner and the chairman of the American Forest Foundation, the nation's oldest and largest family forestland conservation organization. He can be reached at (541) 928-6500 or cbentz@bcsllc.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment