Merkley, Wyden Introduce Bill to Aid Recovery for Timber Communities

Forest Harvest Opportunity Act will Help Oregon Timber Companies Remain Competitive by Extending BLM Contracts

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden introduced legislation to help Oregon timber companies remain competitive and sustain economic growth.  The Forest Harvest Opportunity Act will extend already-existing contracts to companies to harvest timber on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands when prices rebound rather than force companies to take a loss by harvesting timber at current market rates.

“It’s our duty to ensure that the Oregon forestry industry can remain competitive and get a fair shake during these tough economic times,” said Merkley.  “By extending contracts for Oregon forestry companies, we’re giving them the opportunity to harvest timber when prices are right and provide them with the economic stability the companies, and the local communities, need.”

“This legislation will make sure the Oregon timber industry has the flexibility it needs in an economy that has seen drastically reduced timber prices,” Wyden said. “By extending pre-existing contracts for harvesting on BLM land, this bill will save jobs and make sure the industry can survive until timber prices recover.”

Oregon’s forestry industry currently employs thousands of Oregonians and contributes hundreds of millions to the Oregon economy.  Because of the economic recession and the housing market collapse, timber prices have also fallen.  This bill will extend contracts already signed with forestry companies for an additional three years so they can harvest timber on BLM lands when prices rebound.

The Forest Harvest Opportunity Act is also cosponsored by Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester of Montana.