Ron Wyden

We thank Senators Merkley and Wyden for introducing this bill that represents a balance amongst varied basin interests.

This bill encourages pragmatic, creative solutions and partnerships to restore Crooked River fisheries.

The uncertainty [of this project] is taking a toll on economic development.

Thank you Senator Wyden for his leadership on this matter and on many other matters of importance to Oregonians.

The uncertainty of this project is taking a toll on economic development.

As far as I'm concerned the city of Prineville needs this water yesterday. We are committed to getting that done.

I want it understood that, I believe, Senator Merkley has done invaluable work on this, particularly in terms of bringing everybody together.

This is an important matter with respect to water infrastructure, a critical task across the West.

We believe that Congress did the right thing in 2005 to transition from a voluntary reliability system to one that relies a great deal on mandatory standards developed in close consultation with industry.

We believe they can do so in this instance as well.

The PLF feels that neither of these bills will result in a workable solution for the O&C lands.

We appreciate Senator Wyden's efforts to protect the old-growth forests and other special places of western Oregon.

Senator Wyden and Representatives DeFazio, Schrader, and Walden have 'stepped up to the plate' to take on this very contentious issue.

The sad fact is the current management in place on Oregon and California Railroad lands (O & C) is essentially non-management.

The Wyden bill has some serious drafting problems.

The Wyden bill severely limits citizen lawsuits.

Increased logging--especially clearcutting--is incompatible with climate mitigation and other public values.

The Wyden bill will NOT fix the counties' financial problems; it will NOT meaningfully reduce unemployment; it will NOT protect all the old growth; and it will NOT resolve public conflict over forests.

As we take a look at the amount of funding and the funding stress on the forest service, to move to the areas of highest risk seems to make sense to me.

I encourage this committee to increase its support of science and local community-based collaborative groups.

With your efforts, with Congressmen DeFazio, Schrader, and Walden, I think we can reach a resolution.

For these reasons, I believe Senate Bill 1784 is the only politically viable solution for managing these lands currently on the table that could help avert the current crisis in Oregon.

Increased clearcutting on public land is not the answer.

The Wyden bill undermines the fundamental safeguards provided by our nation's environmental laws.

The Wyden bill WILL increase clearcutting; it WILL increase carbon emissions; it WILL degrade water quality, it WILL set back efforts to recover listed fish and wildlife; it WILL degrade Oregon's quality of life and undermine efforts to…