Executive Order Could Affect Oregon Logging
The Trump administration’s recent executive order, entitled “Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production,” calls on federal land managers to ramp up timber production to protect the country’s national and economic security. Oregon is the top producer of softwood lumber in the country, so the order could have serious implications for the state. Nick Cady is the legal director of Cascadia Wildlands in Eugene. He says the order’s claim that onerous federal policies have forced the country to rely on imported lumber is incorrect. In fact, he says the U-S is one of the world’s leading timber exporters.
“There are miles and miles of deck logs that are raw exported to Asia every day out of Coos Bay and the ports here in Oregon. So the premise which all this is based on is false.”
Some loggers don’t agree with Cady’s assessment of the situation saying that importing timber while the forests in Oregon are rich with natural resources doesn’t make sense. Logging would help preserve the forests according to some and would also help in reducing the loss of timber to wildfires. At the same time bringing much needed money for Oregon’s infrastructure. The order also states that a lack of logging has contributed to wildfires and degraded fish and wildlife habitats. Cascadia Wildands and other environmental groups plan to take legal action against the order.
Bears are Out and About
Black bear sightings have been on the rise lately. Local black bears don’t truly hibernate, but they do slow down, eat very little and stay out of sight in the winter. The green roller carts that line neighborhood streets every week are attractive according to Brian Enochian with County Transfer and Recycling. Bears have learned that they can be like a buffet. They are attracted by the smells coming from them.
“They’re looking for food scraps, so anybody who has food scraps in their garbage can would be a target for the bears. Every neighborhood has them and lots of them.”
He says finding a way to keep your food waste out of the garbage is the best way to prevent the bears from feasting. That can be done in a variety of ways including composting.
“And if those don’t work for you, I would recommend you freezing your food scraps during the week and the morning of your pickup day throwing them in the garbage can. You have a better chance of the bears not finding it.”
If you must put your garbage out the night before pickup, he suggests renting a “bear resistant” can from them.
“That will afford you the opportunity to be able to sleep in on your garbage pickup day. Those work pretty well. At ten dollars a month it’s not a bad deal.”
If a bear does get into your garbage, Enochian says the drivers on the garbage route will do what they can to clean it up, but adds they are on a tight schedule and usually cannot get to anything other than the larger things.
Women Build
Florence Habitat for Humanity is hosting the popular “Women Build Day” again this year. Mike Long is the Habitat Construction Supervisor. He says the intention is to encourage women who may never have had the experience to safely work with wood.
“Properly use power tools for safety then we’ll get to turn around and use the power tools during the Women’s Build.”
There will be two separate sessions: one Friday, the other Saturday.
“Nine to two, there’s no cost and you get the lovely shirt. Lunch will be prepared by one of our volunteers.”
Each participant will build and keep their own bird house, and everyone will have an opportunity to help build the Queen’s Float for this year’s Rhododendron Festival Parade. Space is limited so you’ll need to register today or tomorrow. Go to florencehabitat.org and scan the QR code in the big purple box labelled “2025 Women Build Day”. Florence Habitat for Humanity has helped provide 34 families a safe, stable and affordable place to call home over the last 25 years.
Body of Missing Child Found
Authorities have confirmed the tragic discovery of Dane Paulsen, who had been missing since March 1st. Paulsen was found deceased in the Siletz River, approximately three miles downstream from his family’s property. Juan Heredia with Angels Recovery Dive Team assisted in the search, working alongside the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators are currently processing the scene with the Medical Examiner’s Office. Sheriff Adam Shanks expressed deep condolences, saying the loss is felt throughout the community. The Sheriff’s Office thanks all who aided in the search. Paulsen’s family has been notified.
