Elliott State Forest, March 21

An effort to keep the Elliott State Forest of Southwest Oregon in the public’s hands began Monday at the State Capitol in Salem with a hearing on a bill introduced by Sen. Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay).  Senate Bill 847 involves the selling of $100 million in bonds which would be used to purchase some of the more sensitive and controversial areas within the 82,500 acre forest that straddles both Coos and Douglas counties.  That would allow timber harvests in other areas.  Money generated through timber sales, by law, go to the state’s Common School Fund.  However, environmental challenges have tied up the forest for years leading to the proposal by the State Land Board to sell the public property to private interests.  Lone Rock timber company and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians have proposed a $221 million purchase.  The Land Board, comprised of the Governor, Secretary of State and Treasurer, voted 2-1 earlier to sell the property.