Jim Huffman on Environment

End 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.

Upset at impact on rural communities from logging ban

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."

Feds own 50% of Oregon and they keep it locked up

The federal government owns 50% of Oregon. They have made most of that land unavailable for economically productive use. They refuse to manage the fuel load in the forests--so they burn. And when they go up in smoke, Oregonians' jobs go up in smoke with them