Sen. Wyden visits forest-thinning site

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden stopped off near Sisters Monday to visit an active forest-thinning project.

The work is a direct result of the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) designed to provide jobs and stimulate the economy. Passed only weeks ago, the act already has workers on the job in Sisters.

Wyden took the time to personally greet each of the 40 workers engaged in the project. Most crew members, like Justin Wolf and Jason Krieger, said they had been out of work since last October and were grateful for the chance to earn a paycheck. "I'm sure glad to see things going," Wyden told them. "We hope to see that this job leads to another."

After chatting with the crew, Wyden commented, "Almost everybody I talked to is from Central Oregon and has been out of work for six months. It (the recovery work project) is important for the health of the forest and the health of the community. This is what government is all about."

For years now, the U.S. Forest Service has sought to reduce potential wildfire fuels in overgrown forests, especially in the wildland interface with communities such as Sisters. Funding, however, has always been in short supply. Craig Letz, acting Sisters District Ranger, said, "We're glad to be a part of it. It's been really rewarding to take advantage of the ARRA to put people to work."

Referring to the project, Deschutes National Forest Supervisor, John Allen, stated, "This is the culmination of the work of many people to get this job done." He said the Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests had received about $5 million, earmarked for thinning projects under the ARRA program. "So far, we've awarded nearly $3 million of that," he said.

GFP Enterprises of Sisters is the recipient of this particular contract. According to GFP President Don Pollard, GFP is the "largest private employer in Sisters." He further stated, "This project...creates jobs that contribute to the local tax base, and it renews consumer confidence during a time when our local unemployment rates are the highest they have been in several years."

Pollard went on to say, "There is an abundance of work that needs to be done in our forests. Senator Wyden, who has graciously joined us here today, is proposing legislation to streamline the process for performing thinning projects just like this one."

Oregon Wild representative, Tim Lillebo, said, "Oregon Wild believes that thinning smaller younger trees, while protecting our most fire-resistant old trees, is a way to protect the environment and spur economic growth without creating a lot of conflict. Thinning projects like these can benefit forest restoration and provide jobs for local communities...."

He also emphasized his concern that thinning programs incorporate protections for mature forests.

Wearing a Sisters cap, Wyden seemed pleased to take part in the event and described the work as, "long overdue and much needed." Regarding the management of the National Forests, Wyden told The Nugget, "I am 100 percent for multiple use."

Wyden gestured to the work crew assembled behind him and acknowledged that, "The government hadn't been a very good partner in working with these good people to make our forests healthy..., but I wanted to make sure there were funds for these kinds of projects. And I wanted projects to be ready to go and not take a lot of time to organize...to work on getting the economy turned around." He described the project as "a concrete example of making a strong start."