Elliott State Forest update

As most of you know, The Oregon State Land Board is considering selling Oregon’s oldest State Forest to a timber company. Oregon law requires lands such as the Elliott to generate revenue for the Common School Fund. Since it is no longer turning a profit, the Elliott has become a burden on the state. However, Tobias Read, one of three members of the State Land Board, recently backtracked from his position that the Elliott State Forest sale should proceed,, explaining that he senses “momentum in the Legislature” to possibly create a land-transfer mechanism, in which the state would purchase some or all of the Elliott and assign its management to another state agency. To that end, State Senator Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay is sponsoring Senate Bill 847. This legislation creates a roadmap for the transfer of lands currently tied to the Common School Fund. The legislature would still have to find bond money to pay for the transfer of the Elliott, but it’s a promising development.

RVAS can help! Please consider the following actions:

Call your Senator and urge him/her to support SB 847.

Here’s the language of the bill:

Creates process for State Land Board, Department of State Lands and Legislative Assembly to coordinate transfer of certain trust lands managed for benefit of Common School Fund that have limited performance potential as assets of Common School Fund to certain other public bodies better positioned to manage lands for benefit of public.

​Alan DeBoer is the Senator for District 3, which includes Medford and Ashland

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1703
Email: Sen.AlanDeBoer@oregonlegislature.gov

Here’s a link to a map of Oregon’s State Senate districts: http://bluebook.state.or.us/state/legis/legis15c.htm

The State Land Board will meet again on May 9. Call or email Land Board members and urge them to seek a solution that keeps the Elliott State Forest in public hands.

(503) 378-4582

info@katebrownfororegon.com

(503) 986-1523

oregon.sos@state.or.us

(503) 378-4329

For more info on the latest developments, visit A new momentum to retain Elliott State Forest arrives just in time: Editorial