Photo by Ellen Miller

Thursday, August 13, 2015

State Officials hoping for magic

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…