A group of forest products industry associations today expressed their disappointment that new Wilderness legislation from Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley has cleared a key Senate Committee without a meaningful legislative resolution to the paralysis affecting federal forest management and rural communities in Western Oregon.
Press Releases
Senator Wyden’s Framework for O&C Legislation
The Framework released by Senator Wyden acknowledges the need to pass legislation that “will create jobs in the woods. . .and establish a permanent and stable source of revenue for O&C counties.” We appreciate his interest in finding a lasting solution for the O&C lands that will resolve the forest and community health crisis that […]
Forest Industry Urges Comprehensive Solution for Federal Forests
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 management in Western Oregon.
Lawsuit Filed on Owl Critical Habitat
On March 21, the American Forest Resource Council joined the Carpenters Industrial Council, Siskiyou County, California, and a group of forest products manufacturers and private forest landowners in a lawsuit to overturn the latest Northern Spotted Owl critical habitat designation. The case was filed in federal District Court in Washington, D.C., against the Secretary of […]
Industry Comments on Senate County Payments Hearing
On March 19, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing entitled “Keeping the Commitment to Rural Communities” to review the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) county payment programs.
Timber Industry Withdraws Protest
Today, AFRC withdrew its protest of the Friese Camp Project on the Medford BLM District.
Forest Planning Rule Lawsuit
Today, AFRC and a broad group of national and regional interests filed suit in Washington, D.C. to overturn the new Forest Service Planning Rule adopted last April.
Supreme Ct. Forest Roads
The timber industry is pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court today announced it will review a 2010 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision requiring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for forest roads.
Congressional hearing releaes
The timber industry joined those testifying at today’s Congressional field hearing in Longview, Washington, in calling on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to reconsider its flawed draft rule to nearly triple the amount of land arbitrarily set aside for the threatened northern spotted owl.
Statement on Rogue Wilderness Expansion
Today, AFRC sent a letter to Sen. Wyden and Merkley expressing the opposition of the timber industry to S. 2001 which would expand the Rogue Wilderness.