E-NEWSLETTER
A Natural Resources Update
from Senator Gordon Smith
Oregon’s farmers, ranchers, fishermen
and timber communities are vital to sustaining our state’s economy and
way of life. This e-newsletter provides an update on my recent work in
Congress to address some of the critical issues these groups are facing.
NEWS
UPDATE
Farm Bill Becomes Law
At
my urging, in August of 2006, the Senate Agriculture Committee held its
first official hearing in Oregon to discuss the new farm bill. Meeting
in Redmond, the Committee listened to Oregon farmers and ranchers
describe what they would like to see in the bill. The 2008 Farm Bill
finally became law in June of this year, and it is by far the best farm
bill our state has ever seen. Whether it is the permanent disaster
trust fund that benefits our ranchers, the increased funding for
specialty crops or incentives for domestic fuel produced from wood waste
or wheat straw, this bill greatly benefits Oregon’s farmers and
ranchers. The bill also provides incentives for beginning farmers and
ranchers so that rural America can thrive for future generations.
Click here to read my statement on the 2008 Farm Bill.
Fighting for County Timber
Payments
On July 30, 2008, I voted to provide a
four-year extension of federal payments to Oregon’s timber-dependent
counties. The tax package would have reauthorized the Secure Rural
Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 through 2011, and
provided full funding for 2009. The Senate failed to garner the
required 60 votes to consider the bill, but will look at two other
options when it reconvenes in September. The first proposal would
attach full funding for 2009 to a tax extenders package from the Finance
Committee. The second would provide funds to counties through a
one-year emergency supplemental and stimulus spending bill. I am deeply
disappointed that partisan gridlock has kept Congress from delivering
the funding Oregon needs to keep our counties afloat. I will continue to
use every tool at my disposal to ensure Oregon’s counties receive the
funding they so desperately need.
Maintaining and Monitoring
Grazing on Public Lands
Oregon’s livestock industry depends
on access to public lands for grazing. Oregon cattlemen understand the
need for sustainable management of grazing on public lands that balances
the needs of ranchers with conservation efforts. On July 24, 2008,
Senator Wyden and I sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture
Under Secretary Mark Rey requesting that the Forest Service work with
Oregon ranchers and Oregon State University to establish a workable
monitoring program for grazing on public lands. As
our letter
states: “We ask that the Forest Service provide sufficient funds so that
the agency can adequately perform the monitoring required to ensure that
grazing activities are in compliance with federal statutes and
biological opinions applicable to federal lands.”
Protecting Grazing and
Hunting Rights
The Oregon Caves National Monument is
undoubtedly important to our state. While visitors enjoy touring this
historical site, access to the land surrounding the Monument has
provided the local community with support for agriculture, forestry and
grazing. On July 30, 2008, the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks
met to discuss the Oregon Caves Monument Boundary Adjustment Act of
2008. Although I am generally supportive of the legislation to adjust
the boundary of this Monument in Southern Oregon, I will work with the
Energy and Natural Resources Committee to protect grazing and hunting
rights and focus on critical forest thinning projects that are necessary
to prevent catastrophic fire in the Monument.
Click here to read my statement.
Compensating Ranchers for
Wolf Predation
As most people in eastern Oregon know
firsthand, wolves are arriving and multiplying in our state, presenting
a real threat to ranchers and their livestock. On July 9, 2008, the
Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands met to discuss the Gray Wolf
Livestock Loss Mitigation Act of 2008. This legislation would provide
grants through the Department of the Interior to States and Tribes to
support landowners both in preventing livestock predation and obtaining
compensation for any losses. While I support this measure, the bill as
currently written does not include Oregon. I have asked the sponsors of
the legislation to work with me to make sure that Oregon is included in
the bill and eligible for funding.
Click here to read my letter to the bill’s sponsors.
Clean Water Restoration
Act
The
so-called Clean Water Restoration Act, which I oppose, would greatly
expand federal power under the Clean Water Act by removing the term
“navigable” from the current statute and by providing a new, sweeping
definition of the “waters of the .” Proponents of the legislation claim
that it will simply return federal enforcement of the 1972 Clean Water
Act to where it was before recent Supreme Court rulings limited the
scope. However, I am concerned that this will harm water rights
holders and will lead to decades of litigation over what the scope of
the federal role is under this new expansive definition. The Senate
version, S. 1870, is sponsored by Senator Feingold and has 21
cosponsors. It is pending in the Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee, which has held hearings on the bill. While enactment of this
bill is highly unlikely this Congress, I expect the bill to be
reintroduced in both the House and the Senate early next year.
Working with Southern
Oregon Ranchers on Grazing Buyout
Senator Wyden and I have worked with the
local ranchers, residents and the conservation community to develop a
fair compromise for all groups involved with grazing in this part of our
state. Earlier this summer, the Cascade Siskiyou Grazing Buyout
legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources.
This statement from Mike Dauenhauer, Jackson County Stockmen’s
Association President and rancher, was presented to the Committee. The
bill must now go before the full Senate.
National Park Access for
Veterans
My legislation to create a Veterans Eagle
Park Pass was recently approved by the Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee. My bill, supported by Veterans of Foregin Wars and
AmVets, would give veterans discounted entry to all federal parks across
America. A discounted pass for veterans to visit our nation's most
treasured lands is a small but important thing we can do for those who
have given so much. An annual pass to all federal parks nationwide
currently costs $80. My legislation would make it available to veterans
for $10. The bill is now awaiting floor action in the Senate.
Emergency Aid for Fishing
Communities
Oregon fishermen are facing another
tough closure this season and aid is urgently needed to keep these
fishermen and their families stable. Fortunately, the 2008 Farm Bill,
which I supported, contains $170 million in emergency aid for commercial
and recreational fishing businesses affected by the west coast closure.
This funding will allow our state’s fishing communities to stay
afloat in the face of a near total closure of this year’s salmon season.
Growing Oregon's
Agriculture Future
Senator Wyden and I recently announced the
approval of a Senate appropriations bill containing over $5 million for
sustainable agriculture projects, infrastructure investment, and
research. The bill has been passed by the Senate Appropriations
Committee, the first step for appropriations funding. This bill provides
the funding for the following projects:
Wood Utilization Research (WUR) Center at OSU and other colleges
- $4,841,000 - The WUR Program provides innovative
science, technology and advanced business practices research and
graduate education. Funds will support new initiatives in the
development of bio-products, composite materials, bio-based energy and
nanotechnology that can help position Oregon to be a leader in these
fields in the Western US and enhance competitiveness of domestic
industry.
Grass Seed Cropping Systems for Sustainable Agriculture
- $150,000 - For research into sustainable
production of grass seed, a major Oregon export, aimed at addressing
critical environmental and economic challenges including the phase-out
of open-field burning. The project covers Oregon, Idaho and Washington,
with Oregon-based scientists typically receiving more than half of
available funds.
Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research
- $300,000 - Funds for the Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research
will support researchers and scientists to conduct a coordinated
research program on berry and grape crops focused on genetics research,
plant breeding, pest management, and processing and productions methods
to improve quality.
Northwest Potato Variety Development Program
- $750,000 - Funds are used for lab and field research
towards the development of new potato varieties aimed at overcoming the
current weaknesses of the Russet Burbank, the dominant variety in the
Pacific Northwest, which is susceptible to a number of pests and
diseases.
Organic Cropping Research for the Northwest
- $149,000 - Funds will be
used for research into the improvement and support of Oregon’s
burgeoning organic agriculture industry. A panel representing
scientists, industry representatives and farmers will evaluate proposals
and distribute available funds.
For more information on other Oregon
projects and an update on the appropriation process
click here.
Forest
Service Cabin User Fee Fairness
On July 17, 2008, I sent a
letter with my colleagues to Under Secretary Mark Rey
of the Forest Service asking that the appraisal process for private
cabins on public land be revised. It has become apparent that the
Forest Service is misinterpreting the congressional intent laid out in
the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act. The current appraisal protocol does
not adequately consider the numerous restrictions already placed on
cabin owners and may discourage the stewardship partnering that is so
important on our public lands.