On Tuesday, February 14th at 10 a.m. Cascadia Forest Defenders are hosting a Valentine’s Day ruckus at the first State Land Board meeting of 2012, confronting Governor Kitzhaber about his direct hand in the destruction of Oregon’s ancient forests.
In October, Governor Kitzhaber approved a plan nearly doubling the annual clear cut in the Elliott State Forest, effective 2012. This Tuesday the governor and his land board will also approve the privatization of over 1,414 acres of public forest land in Southern Oregon. Privatization will leave the fate of sensitive watersheds in the hands of corporate timber.
Through a variety of lighthearted stunts, CFD will bring light to the consequences of the governor’s mismanagement of state lands. Rowdiness is encouraged. “We’ve asked nicely before,” says Cascadia Forest Defender Grace Warner. “We’ve written letters, given public testimony, held a permitted rally, and even met with the governor in person. It’s time for the governor and his timber baron friends to feel a little bit of discomfort.”
In 1995, Kitzhaber approved a plan for the Elliott State Forest that allowed a 500-acre annual cut for the next 60 years. On Oct. 11, 2011, the governor approved a new plan allowing an annual cut of 850 acres a year, with decreased protection for endangered species and riparian zones. CFD says that the governor broke his own promise and is allowing a bigger cut in an already devastated ecosystem.
At the Feb. 14th meeting, the governor will have the option to sell 1,414 acres of public land. The governor will also be voting on a process that will simplify the process of privatizing land controlled by the State Land Board. CFD objects to the governor privatizing public land, especially when the price of timber is so low. “It would appear that the governor does not value the long term ecological or economic health of our region.” says Warner.
Cascadia Forest Defenders is an activist community working to stop the destruction of Oregon’s last ancient forests.
The meeting of the State Land Board is at 775 Summer St. in Salem. It begins at 10am on Feb 14th.