Forest restoration funding back on the table in D.C.

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., was in Central Oregon Monday to discuss the proposed Resilient Forest Act, which aims to get more funding for forest restoration projects across the nation.

The legislation also would allow for more money to help with wildfire prevention efforts.

Jim Geisnger, executive vice president of the Association for Oregon Loggers, said forest restoration is a big key to a successful logging operation.

“Salvaging the burned timber, and replanting after the salvage operations are completed,” Geisinger said. “That’s how you sustain our forests, that’s how you sustain our industry, and that’s how you sustain rural communities.”

Geisinger said that there’s still a lot of salvageable wood, even after it has been burned.

It’s a problem that many blame on a lack of funding and forest mismanagement.

Jennifer Phillippi, a fourth-generation mill owner in southern Oregon, said the lack of forest management, along with slow forest rehabilitation efforts, prompted her decision to shut down her business.

Phillippi said she’s hopeful a change will be made soon to allow for sustainable practices.

“I just can’t understand, from a ecologic standpoint, why we don’t just all come together and find a way to make those forests healthy,” Phillippi said.

Walden said the bill he has been working on will aim to make sure that situations like Phillippi’s family business being shut down can be avoided.

He said the resources for the Forest Service to go in and clean up after a fire are too scarce.

“They restore the forest and protect the natural habitat much quicker than the federal government is able to do,” Walden said. “They do a lot of work, but it’s not enough, and we need to give them the flexibility and tools to do more.”

Walden also said he’s hopeful that this year the Senate will pass the Resilient Forest Act, as a similar bill has been shot down the past five years.

Walden is hoping it will be reach the Senate floor by the end of the year.