I know this is somewhat contriversal, but I am listing htis informantion so all can learn more and make their own decisisons an/or get involved if they so choose. This was the body of an e-mail I received from the TRC.
The Tillamook Insider
January 2004
A Monthly Update on Activities of the
Tillamook Rainforest Coalition and Balance PAC
Because the Tillamook is OUR State Forest.
OPEN HOUSE – Tuesday evening - FEB. 3, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Come see the new office, meet the staff and Board, and enjoy refreshments - beer and wine will be provided! 816 NW Hoyt Street
ADOPT AN ACRE OF THE TILLAMOOK AND CLATSOP STATE FOREST
Visit our web site in February at
www.tillamook5050.org to see how! With your donation we will send you a “matted personalized certificate” naming you as a sponsor of an acre of the State Forest. Be one of the first 100 donors and you will also receive a video/DVD story of the Tillamook.
WE HAVE MOVED!
We have grown to 4 full time workers and 4 part-time staff. Visit our web sites at
www.tillamookrainforest.org or
www.tillamook5050.org to meet the staff. Our new office will save us money and will accommodate volunteers.
The mailing address is: 555 NW Park Unit 109 - Portland, OR 97209
Location: 816 NW Hoyt St. Portland, OR 97209 (right across from the downtown Portland Post Office) Our phone numbers will remain the same. For Tillamook Rainforest Coalition it is 503- 224-3472 and for Balance PAC Campaign it is 503-248-0178.
Please stop by and visit anytime but especially come and help us celebrate our new office by joining us for our Open House Feb. 3 at 6:00 p.m.
LEGISLATURE DEMANDS INCREASED HARVESTING IN TILLAMOOK.
ODF RESPONDS WITH A 20% INCREASE IN CLEAR-CUTTING!
Imagine an area the size of Tigard without a single tree standing. That is the general size of the clear-cut that will occur in one year as a result of legislative direction and recent Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) action.
The increase in clear-cutting is on top of the last 10 years of clear-cutting in the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests which resembles an area roughly the size of Salem. This is simply too much!
In a document dated January 5, 2004, ODF explains that permanent reserves are “transitory, given changing environmental, social and political situations.” We obviously have a political situation that is on track to turn our state forests into an industrial tree farm.
It’s time to end the controversy! The Tillamook 50/50 plan is a balanced forest management plan that Oregonians can support. We need to secure over 75,000 signatures to make the November 2004 ballot. With your help we can end the controversy and assure forest management in OUR STATE FORESTS is balanced to provide the “Greatest Permanent Value” for all Oregonians.
NEW BALLOT TITLE
Appealed to Supreme Court
As we mentioned in the December Insider, we have filed a new initiative petition for the November ballot. Our prior initiative’s ballot title was somewhat confusing to the general public so we took the opportunity to refile in the hopes of securing a more easily understood ballot title. The new initiative is very similar to the prior initiative. To view the new initiative #120 visit the Secretary of State’s Elections website at
http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/elechp.htm and click on Initiative and Referendum Referral Log #120. The Attorney General (AG) recently returned a very clear ballot title for #120 that is less confusing to voters.
Ray Wilkerson with the Oregon Forest Industries Council, has appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court for review of the ballot title of initiative #120. Mr. Wilkerson is opposed to the ballot title calling it “inaccurate and confusing.” We believe it is an excellent ballot title which summarizes for the voters, in clear language, the benefits of the Tillamook 50/50 Plan.
“Requires balancing timber production, resource conservation/preservation, in managing state forests; specifically addresses two forests.”
Result of Yes vote: “Yes vote requires managing state forests balancing, as equally beneficial, conservation/preservation and timber production; manages Tillamook, Clatsop forests half for preservation, half for production.”
Result of No vote: “No vote retains current law allowing mixed use state forest management; rejects: requiring management that values conservation and production equally, separately managing Tillamook, Clatsop Forests.”
We will be unable to circulate petitions for signatures until the Supreme Court either revises the title or approves the AG’s title. We hope for the later. This process could delay signature gathering from 2 weeks to a month. We will be ready to go as soon as we are certified. We will need your help!
Volunteers Needed
We will need you to be ready to gather signatures for the Tillamook Forest 50/50 Ballot Initiative as soon as we are certified!!! Putting the 50/50 Plan on the ballot will take work from all of our friends and supporters. Please email
jeremy.rogers@tillamook5050.org to request a signature packet and learn more about signatures gathering opportunities. Also stay tuned for the “Tillamook Road Tour” coming soon to a town near you! We also need:
Volunteers at our Office (816 NW Hoyt--across from the post office in Portland)
Help with outreach to individuals and groups and help securing business endorsements
Volunteers to table at key events
Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show is February 4-8th at the Expo Center in Portland. Help us discuss the importance of a balanced forest management plan, pass out literature, and sign up supporters at the show! If you are interested in working a shift at our table, or at any of our upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Jeremy Rogers at (503) 248-0178.
Presentations
If you know of any groups or businesses wishing to learn more about the Tillamook, please contact Lyndon Ruhnke at
lyndon@tillamookrainforest.org or call 503- 224-3472.
EVENT COMING UP
Fundraiser – Portland Brewery - Feb. 27th. $50 a person – Dinner and Auction. Bid on a night at the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach, fishing trips, ski lessons and more. For more information contact Erin DeClark by e-mail at
Erin.declark@tillamook5050.org or call Don Satchell or Erin at 503-248-0178.
PARTY!
Host a House Party to benefit the Tillamook!
In order to raise awareness and money, Balance PAC is organizing fundraising events in our neighbors and friends homes. These events can be a small gathering or larger party. A staff or board member of Balance PAC will make a power point presentation followed by a fundraising pitch. We are asking friends of Balance PAC to host a house party. For further information about hosting a house party or to get involved with other events, please e-mail Lee Rahr, Event Coordinator, Balance PAC at
lee.rahr@tillamook5050.org or call 503-318-8607.
More fish and better producing streams
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