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Hi everybody!
The Oregon Legislature began meeting this past week, and although Monday was a legal holiday honoring the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., I had a busy week of committees, meetings and floor sessions.
While I serve on several committees, I chair the House Natural Resources Committee and we began our meetings this week with informational briefings from state agencies talking about their programs and concepts for legislation they’ll bring forward this session.
Rep. Witt Chairs House Natural Resources Committee
On Tuesday, former Oregon State Forester, Jim Brown, spoke to our committee. Having had the pleasure of working with Jim when I served on the Oregon State Board of Forestry, I respect and admire his dedication to Oregon’s natural resources, as did Governor Kulongoski, who made Jim his Natural Resource Office Director. Jim shared with the committee results of surveys showing Oregonians want a high quality of life that includes jobs, education, public safety, human resource services and a quality environment. In all areas of the state, but especially rural areas such as House District 31, the environment and economy are interconnected. Oregon’s forestlands have the best biodiversity of any landscape in Oregon as well as the cleanest waters.
During Jim Brown’s tenure as Oregon State Forester the Department of Forestry worked on sustainable forest management practices, implementing a plan for integrated multi-value forest with the opportunity for innovative management. The Oregon Forest Management Plan was adopted with the agreement that if the plan didn’t work, it would be revisited. If there are any problems or shortfalls, as elected officials with oversight responsibilities, we owe it to the public to seek constant improvement. Jim spoke to the point that sustainable forest practices include a balance between working landscapes, institutional infrastructure, social economic benefits, and a healthy ecosystem. It’s the kind of balance I believe we need when dealing with every natural resource issue. I liken it to a stool with three legs under a bucket of milk. If you shorten any one leg, then the milk will spill. We can’t afford to waste the milk, or Oregon’s natural resources. The House Natural Resources committee members must be mindful of balancing the needs of all Oregonians when making public policy. We must listen to the debate, but not be unduly influenced by the loudest voices, instead we need to keep balance in mind and make our decisions based on the broader public interest.
Thursday’s Natural Resource committee agenda included an update from Larry Warren, Director of the Oregon Marine Board (OMB). This small agency works to provide and enhance opportunities for recreational boating, through contracting and grants. Funding for the OMB comes from boat registration fees, federal grants and marine fuel taxes. That money is used to contract with county sheriff’s offices and the Oregon State police for marine law enforcement, and grants for recreational boating facilities. Some of the legislation they hope to advance this session includes improving waterway access, licensing boat rental operations, combatting aquatic invasive species, and licensing boat rental operations.
Thanks for reading my newsletter-
Brad
email: Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1431
address: 900 Court St NE, H-382, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/witt
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