The 82,500-acre Elliott State Forest was the first state forest established in Oregon and named after the first state forester, Francis Elliott. State leaders are seriously considering selling this forest. I am appalled! This is like selling Crater Lake National Park to a “developer” (think of all the building sites around the rim!). The state needs to find a way to log part of the forest to meet its obligations to schools. If a logging company can log it, the state should be able to.
I believe a sale of the public’s property of this magnitude should be subject of a public vote. The citizens of Oregon (and no one else) own Elliott State Forest, and only they should decide its fate. It’s too important a change for a three-member board to decide. Once sold and the money spent, we will have nothing to show for our loss. (But then I guess we can sell Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests as well for short-term gain.)
If it must be sold, it should go entirely to Indian Tribes. At least they will take care of it. (You know what a logging company wants to do with it.)
— John S. Dearing, Corvallis
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