Sustainable Northwest is encouraged by the language within the Wyden Bill, specifically as it relates to directing a shift in focus by the US Forest Service to landscape-scale restoration instead of small forests stands.  Under the bill, "landscape-scale" is defined as

"large geographic area that is normally measured in terms of a watershed of approximately 25,000 acres or a subbasin of approximately 1,000,000 acres"

Projects of this size are needed to adequately address forest health while simultaneously increasing support for natural-resource dependent communities through increased supply for local mills, jobs and rural infrastructure.

Collaboration as a key component of this bill would provide for an open and engaged process for communities and groups that are directly affected by these potential projects. We hope that the biomass utilization provisions included in the bill will encourage appropriately scaled facilities that provide opportunities for local ownership and can serve as a means of wealth capture and profit retention for local economies. Sustainable Northwest has also always been a strong supporter of increased preference to local contractors and stewardship contracts that would supply jobs and provide for stronger rural communities.

We look forward to taking a closer look at the legislation and working closely with the Senator's office and with the various collaborative groups, who have a stake and role in Eastern Oregon forested lands, in further refining a solution that works for both the communities and forests.