Oregon is part of what was historically the largest temperate rainforest in the world, running from Alaska to northern California. Because it is temperate, we have fires. And just as the Brazilian rainforest has a huge impact on weather in general, so does ours.

The entities cutting our rainforest are the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, state forest services and huge timber companies such as Sierra Pacific, Weyerhaeuser, etc. Consequently, here in Oregon we produce more softwood lumber than any state in the country. We do not need to cut down more trees, especially since most of those logs are sold to other countries and not even milled here.

Three of our county commissioners — Pat Farr, Ryan Ceniga and David Loveall — voted a few years ago to rejoin the Association of O&C Counties. This is not a public agency. It is an organization devoted to pushing the interests of the timber Industry. Your county taxes go toward paying dues of approximately $80,000 a year to this organization! In addition, the association lacks transparency and accountability.

Now, these commissioners have given this association — again, a timber industry support group — the OK to work with BLM to cut down our forests! Since these three county commissioners receive substantial amounts for their reelection campaigns from the timber industry, it is quite plain what is going on.

We should not be paying dues to the Association of O&C Counties, and this group definitely should not represent Lane County residents when dealing with BLM concerning its plans to increase the cutting significantly.

Sue Craig
Eugene