State of Oregon Archives: on Environment
Jo Rae Perkins:
Questions constitutionally of the EPA
Perkins said before a campaign stop, "We have too many federal agencies [performing functions] that are best served at the local level." She specifically targets the Environmental Protection Agency and the huge federal land holdings in the
West. "I question the constitutionality of those," she said. "Where in the Constitution does it say that those different agencies can be supported by the federal government?"
Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Sep 28, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
For proper logging of forests, get government out of the way
Perkins said the problems with Oregon forests don't have anything to do with a changing climate. The problem, she said, is mismanagement that's led to massive wildfires causing some of the world's worst air pollution. "We have cowered down
to environmentalists who are freaking out about cutting timber," she said. "I would open up the forest proper logging and proper forestry management," Perkins added, "and get the federal government out of the way."
Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Sep 28, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Change Federal Land Management, let state be in charge
Land Management: Change Federal Land Management and regulations by allowing the State of Oregon to be in charge. Oregonians are capable
of managing the land to its highest and most potential, while simultaneously, reducing the risk of wildfires, reduce pollution, save wildlife and their natural habitat.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com
Aug 17, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
State management of lands, not feds
Change federal land management and regulations by allowing the State of Oregon to be in charge. Oregonians are capable of managing the land to its highest and
most potential, while simultaneously, reducing the risk of wildfires, reduce pollution, save wildlife and their natural habitat.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.vote
Jun 17, 2020
Jo Rae Perkins:
Reduce U.S. Forest Service presence on our land
Perkins repeatedly said journalists and voters should instead be focusing on her longtime beliefs that the federal government needs to be dramatically reduced in˙scope. "I don't need the
U.S. Forest Service on our land," said Perkins. "It is˙unconstitutional.
Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting on 2020 Oregon Senate race
May 22, 2020
Knute Buehler:
Wants to combat wildfire damage to forests with new policies
This wildfire season has traumatized Oregonians with more than 500K acres burned. Our forests are in trouble and Oregon needs stronger leadership and new policies. Nearly half of the forests are owned by the federal government. Thousands of acres
are at risk of catastrophic wildfire, insects and disease. A century of wildfire suppression has resulted in overcrowded forests and high tree mortality. Science shows that managed forests have fewer dead trees and are more resilient after fires.
Source: Portland Tribune Buehler OpEd on 2018 Oregon Governor race
Sep 19, 2017
Bud Pierce:
Enhance infrastructure & natural resource based jobs
Q: How would you ensure that everyone who wants a job can find one?PIERCE: Listening to industry in the private sector and advocating for public policies that grow the economy and add jobs,
by enhancing growth in manufacturing and in natural resource based jobs (with an emphasis on timber), and by increasing infrastructure jobs by building roads, bridges, ports, and rail service.
Source: League of Women Voters Guide to 2016 Oregon Senate race
Sep 9, 2016
Mark Callahan:
Constitution disallows so much federal land ownership
Federal Lands: The Federal Government has not been following the U.S. Constitution, nor the O&C Lands Act in regards to Federal lands. 53% of Oregon is "supposedly" owned by the Federal Government.
I was recently in Nevada, and 90% of Nevada is "supposedly" owned by the Federal Government. This clearly indicates that the Federal Government is not following the U.S. Constitution.
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2016 Oregon Senate race
Aug 31, 2016
Kevin Stine:
Common sense solutions to ensure environmental security
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "EPA regulations are too restrictive"?
A: Oppose. We can use common sense solutions to ensure environmental security without going too far.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 1, 2016
Bud Pierce:
Maintain forestlands through proper forest management
Oregon is known for its clear water, natural resources and clean air. 30 million of Oregon's 63 million acres are forestland. Oregon has a long history of supporting its forests and became the first state to adopt a law governing forest practices and
protecting natural resources such as fish, water, air, soil and wildlife. The Oregon Forest Practices Act contains strict environmental standards that serve our land and natural resources well. Forestry in Oregon provides approximately
57,000 jobs with an annual payroll of $2.1 billion. These are jobs that keep Oregon moving and keep our forests healthy.
Bud Pierce wants to keep Oregon at the forefront of innovation when it comes to using and, taking care of, our state's timber
resources. Therefore, we need to maintain Oregon's vast forestlands through proper forest management techniques that will help prevent the severe wildfires Oregonians are experiencing during this incredibly dry summer.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
Jeff Merkley:
Sustainable harvests on public lands
The Beaver State was built by Americans who relied on the land for their livelihood. Natural resource industries like farming, forestry, and salmon fishing remain integral to Oregon's economy today.
Our state has also long been a destination for Americans looking to experience the great outdoors.
Oregon's protected public lands provide valuable habitats, supply clean water, and generate jobs through sustainable harvests, recreation, and tourism.
Preserving our natural resources and making smart decisions about economic development will help spur rural growth and ensure that future generations can enjoy Oregon's wild places and public lands while putting people to work.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2014 Oregon Senate incumbents
Oct 24, 2014
Monica Wehby:
Fisherman, miners, and loggers need a partner in D.C.
Monica has traveled all across Oregon meeting with farmers, fisherman, ranchers, miners, and loggers. These hard-working Americans have seen their industries and their jobs decimated by a federal government they believe is not on their side. Dr. Wehby
believes that we need leaders in D.C. who will take a truly balanced approach when it comes to protecting our state's jobs and natural resources. The Federal government telling our state we can't use our timber resources is like telling
Texans they can't drill for oil. There is a human cost to over-regulation that comes from a federal bureaucracy in Washington D.C. that doesn't seem to care about the impact that their policies have on working families.
The people who live in these
areas have been good stewards of their lands for generations. They are not looking to harm the environments they live in. They just want an honest partner in D.C. that isn't looking to take away their right to work.
Source: 2014 Ore. Senate campaign website, www.MonicaForOregon.com
Mar 18, 2014
Jason Conger:
Higher timber harvests on public land
Conger criticized Merkley for not jumping into the fight over legislation on the management of the Oregon & California Railroad grant lands in western Oregon. Merkley has said he's ready to work with Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden--who chairs the committee
with jurisdiction over federal forest lands--and others on a solution to the O&C issue.
Conger comes from a more rural part of the state and has a record in the Legislature of supporting higher timber harvests on public land.
Conger supports a House-passed bill that would put about 1.6 million acres of O&C land into a state-managed trust primarily for timber production. Wyden has introduced a bill with more environmental safeguards that would have lower timber harvest targets
Said Conger in a release: "Sen. Jeff Merkley has not taken a position on any measure to reform O&C forest management or taken any action to effectively reduce joblessness and poverty in the state's forested communities."
Source: The Oregonian coverage of 2014 Oregon Senate race
Dec 5, 2013
Jason Conger:
Voted NO on prohibiting motorized mining in riverbeds
SB 838: Prohibits Motorized Mining (Bill Passed House, 33-27); Conger voted NayThe Legislative Assembly finds that:- Prospecting, small scale mining and recreational mining are part of the unique heritage of Oregon
- Prospecting & small scale
mining provide economic benefits to Oregon and local communities and support tourism, small businesses and recreational opportunities
- Exploration of potential mine sites is necessary to discover the minerals that underlie the surface and inherently
involves natural resource disturbance
- Mining that uses motorized equipment in the beds and banks of the rivers of Oregon can pose significant risks to Oregon's natural resources, including fish and other wildlife, riparian areas, and water quality
A moratorium is imposed until 2021 on mining that uses any form of motorized equipment for the purpose of extracting gold, silver or any other precious metal from placer deposits of the beds or banks of the waters of this state.
Source: 2013-2014 Oregon Senate & House legislative voting records
Jul 7, 2013
Jason Conger:
Rated 53% by Conservation Voters; 80% by Humane Society
2011: Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV)--Positions: rated Congers at 53%.Organization description: "Oregon League of
Conservation Voters is the political arm of the environmental movement in Oregon. OLCV is supported by environmentally concerned Oregonians who believe in using the political process to protect Oregon's environment."
2011: Oregon Humane Society--Positions: rated Congers at 80%.
Organization description: "To foster an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals through education, legislation, and leadership.
To care for the homeless, to defend the abused, and to fight with unrelenting diligence for recognition of the integrity of all animals."
Source: VoteSmart ratings: 2014 Oregon Senate legislative session
Dec 31, 2011
Jim Huffman:
End restrictions for logging federal timber land
Huffman favors restraining government so the private sector can flourish and create jobs. He argued for extending tax breaks up for review in Congress, an end to stimulus spending, a balanced budget amendment, free trade and an ease on business
regulations and on restrictions for logging federal timber land. Wyden argued that tax reform, timber land use compromises and government efforts to foster more green industries promise to give Oregon's economy a boost.
Source: OregonLive.com coverage of 2010 Oregon Senate debate
Oct 22, 2010
Jim Huffman:
Upset at impact on rural communities from logging ban
Huffman says the federal government cripples small businesses with uncertainty over taxes and has crushed Oregon's rural economy by barring logging on 80% of federal public lands, which make up 53% of the state. "Nothing has gotten me more upset in the
6 months I have spent traveling around the state than seeing the impact on the rural communities of what the federal government has done with the natural resources in this state," he said. Wyden says Huffman's opposition to complicated legislation he'
worked out among warring interests over the use of forests in Eastern Oregon defines how the two candidates differ. "He doesn't want people to work to find common ground," Wyden said.
Huffman said he opposes Wyden's forestry plan because it forges
agreements with some, but not all, of the parties involved. Some mills, e.g., would not benefit from the Eastside Forest Plan, and he questions whether it would create any more jobs. "I'm not against collaboration," he said. "We need to be realistic."
Source: Oregon Live coverage of 2010 Oregon Senate Debate
Oct 8, 2010
Ron Wyden:
Worked out compromise Eastside Forest Plan
Huffman supports fewer restrictions on economic uses of federal lands. He says the federal government cripples small businesses with uncertainty over taxes and has crushed Oregon's rural economy by barring logging on 80% of federal public lands, which
make up 53% of the state.Wyden says Huffman's opposition to complicated legislation, the Eastside Forest Plan, he's worked out among warring interests over the use of forests in Eastern Oregon defines how the two candidates differ. "He doesn't want
people to work to find common ground," Wyden said.
Huffman said he opposes Wyden's forestry plan because it forges agreements with some, but not all, of the parties involved. "I'm not against collaboration," he said. "We need to be realistic about
it."
Wyden says his forest plan is just one example of how he has been able to get results in Washington's toxic partisan climate. He is casting himself as different, as one who is "always going to try to find common ground."
Source: Oregon Live coverage of 2010 Oregon Senate Debate
Oct 8, 2010
Gordon Harold Smith:
Inserted Oregon timber payments into $70 bailout bill
Smith noted that he was able to restore federal timber payments to Oregon counties by inserting it in the federal economic bailout bill--a bill Merkley had said he would have opposed.Merkley responded that Smith had never
been able to restore the payments while Republicans controlled the Senate. “We need to have a son of a timber family to fight for timber payments,” said Merkley, who was born in timber-dependent Douglas County and whose father once owned a mill.
Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported in Statesman Journal
Oct 14, 2008
Gordon Harold Smith:
Create more jobs in timber industry
Both Smith & Merkley said they wanted to do more to promote timber harvesting as a way to beef up the state’s economy.Smith said 8 billion board feet were harvested during the 1980s, which he thought was too much. As opposed to his opponent,
Smith said he wants to create a timber industry that will offer more jobs.
Merkley said that a sustainable forest harvest is important for the economy. He said that both Bush and Smith have caused the state to lose 12,000 jobs in the timber industry.
Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate, in Southern Ore. Mail Tribune
Oct 14, 2008
Jeff Merkley:
Son of a timber family; will fight for timber payments
Smith noted that he was able to restore federal timber payments to Oregon counties by inserting it in the federal economic bailout bill--a bill Merkley had said he would have opposed.Merkley responded that Smith had never
been able to restore the payments while Republicans controlled the Senate. “We need to have a son of a timber family to fight for timber payments,” said Merkley, who was born in timber-dependent Douglas County and whose father once owned a mill.
Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported in Statesman Journal
Oct 14, 2008
Jeff Merkley:
Sustainable forest harvest important for economy
Both Smith & Merkley said they wanted to do more to promote timber harvesting as a way to beef up the state’s economy.Smith said 8 billion board feet were harvested during the 1980s, which he thought was too much. As opposed to his opponent,
Smith said he wants to create a timber industry that will offer more jobs.
Merkley said that a sustainable forest harvest is important for the economy. He said that both Bush and Smith have caused the state to lose 12,000 jobs in the timber industry.
Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate, in Southern Ore. Mail Tribune
Oct 14, 2008
Kate Brown:
Supports watershed planning & reservoir drawdowns
Brown indicates support of the following principles concerning Oregon's environment and natural resources.- Enact tougher environmental standards to encourage the sale of cleaner burning fuels throughout Oregon.
- Support `self-audit` legislation
which creates incentives for polluting industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
- Continue to provide funding for recycling programs in Oregon.
- Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal
environmental regulations.
- Provide financial and technical assistance to localities to assist them in watershed planning.
- Support flow augmentations and reservoir drawdowns as measures to promote recovery of the salmon population.
-
The Endangered Species Act should continue to rely on regulations that require property owners to protect threatened plants and animals on their land.
- Expand the bottle bill to cover more types of containers.
Source: Oregon Legislative 1996 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1996
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021