State Officials hoping for magic
Oregon’s State Land
Board, Governor Kate Brown, Treasurer Ted Wheeler and Secretary of State Jeanne
Atkins, are counting on a collective agreement amongst timber management
interests, anti-logging groups, recreation supporters and community backers.
Pot of Gold becomes drain
The State Land
Board can no longer meet their fiduciary responsibility to produce revenue for
the Common School Fund from the Elliott State Forest. In fact, in 2013, the Elliott
cost the CSF over $3 Million for the privilege of owning this once valuable forestland.
For decades, the
Elliott provided millions of dollars in timber receipts to K-12 education in
Oregon. Now the SLB is looking to sell or transfer the Elliott to a new entity
that one way or another finds peace amongst radicals who don’t support any
timber harvest, community supporters and school backers.
That new body could
be none other than the State of Oregon. Magic would be necessary if a State
agency is selected as the new owner/custodian of the Elliott, since Oregon
already owns the Elliott. Magically
transferring the Common School Fund trust obligations away from the Department
of State Lands to a different branch of government would make Alice in
Wonderland come to life.
So sad…
Giving up on
traditional forest management for the Elliott is a sad conclusion for what was
once the quintessential managed forest. The
Elliott came to life following a massive forest fire in the 1860’s.
A recent study by
former Oregon State University Professor Dr. John Session found that the
Elliott could produce 60-75 Million Board Feet/year forever. Now, the economic
goal for the Elliott is to produce enough timber for 40 jobs, less than 5
MBF/year.
No speedy resolution
The Elliott will
remain in Oregon’s front position as the route for legally and financially
transferring the Elliott will have to plow uncharted w
aters. Meanwhile, the trees keep growing, water
keeps flowing and the local economy continues to reel.
Only in Oregon…
