The lower slopes of MERA, which have once again developed over recent decades into a maturing stand of Ponderosa pine, are there for a reason.

For those who were told that logging the lush, verdant corridor of the Wild & Scenic Lostine River surrounded on three sides by the Eagle Cap Wilderness was imperative for wildfire safety, what is this logging achieving?

Northeast Oregon has more miles of undammed and free flowing watersheds than almost anywhere else in the continental United States. And we would wager that each and every one of our Northeast Oregon county commissioners would agree that we live in the most scenic corner of our state.

Even with the long overdue recognition of forest lands’ importance in addressing climate change, forest management is stuck in the past.