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Walden seeks forest change
By Jim Cornelius

Congressman Greg Walden wants to see more timber harvested off of public lands -- to preserve timber jobs and to avert catastrophic wildfires such as those in Arizona and Colorado.

Forest management was one of several topics the congressman addressed at a forum sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday, July 1.

Walden said he hopes the devastating wildfires in Arizona and Colorado can be used as "a lever" to convince Congress that thinning must be done in the forests.

"We've gotten to the point where we're harvesting virtually nothing off of federal lands," Walden said. "If we do that work, we'll have jobs, too -- and healthy forests."

Forest policy, like other environmental issues, should be determined by the best science, Walden argues. He cited the Klamath Falls water crisis of last summer as an example, noting that that issue has been a seven-days-a-week matter for him and his staff.

Walden observed that scientific review of the Klamath situation determined that the initial decision to stop water flows was flawed -- but the review didn't come until after farmers had been devastated by loss of water.

The congressman said he is pushing legislation that would require outside scientific review for moves to list or de-list species under the Endangered Species Act, of which he said "while it may be well-intentioned, is being terribly poorly enforced."

While much of Walden's talk focused on resource and energy issues, the congressman also touched on prescription drug prices.

"I probably get more mail on that than on any other subject," he said.

Walden told his audience that the House of Representatives is currently at work on a prescription drug plan that would set up "group buying" on a scale that could push costs down significantly.

The plan includes premiums, deductibles and co-payments, but people on low incomes could be exempted from those provisions.

Walden acknowledged that the plan is not a "Cadillac or Mercedes" plan, but he said that the government can't afford that.

"Medicare is on a glide path to go broke by 2030, so we need some reform there," he noted.

In response to queries about the controversial Steens Mountain/Squaw Creek land swap proposal (see story, page 1), Walden voiced skepticism.

Walden was instrumental in the original Steens Mountain legislation created in 2000.

"I'm not convinced that this is the right exchange to approve," Walden said.

He noted that the Forest Service does not have the Squaw Creek land listed for potential exchange and that the community clearly does not want to see the land traded.

In any case, he noted, no legislation has been proposed -- and time is running out for any action to take place in the current session.

"In terms of the timeline, it's not going to happen this year," he said.

Walden acknowledged that $25 million is supposed to be available for the purchase of in-holdings in the Steens Wilderness. However, Walden said, the money has not been appropriated.

"It's a primary request," he said. "I am actively pursuing it. We need to do it."

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