Hey Folks,
The only way to save the Elliot Forest is to sell the Elliot Forest.
The feds own 53% of Oregon, which is entirely too much land to be in the hands of bureaucracies in DC. The state retains less than 3% ownership of state land, which translates to about 1.7 million acres. The Elliot forest makes up about 93,000 acres of that total, which means there is plenty of public/government property for outdoor recreation.
Some of the groups who are opposed to the sale are hunters, hikers, anglers and other outdoorsman and they are under the impression that someone, in this case the government, should provide them the land for those activities.
Even though, they have a right to pursue the hunt, the hike, and the fish, unfortunately the US government has no Constitutional authority to use the might of its force to keep property off the market to provide the natural resources for those endeavors. The state constitution does allow for land conservation, but does not specify how much of.the land except in Article VII. The state has to be limited to what it can own or there is no private property rights.
Oregon´s Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5(2), specifies that the Board
…shall manage lands under its jurisdiction with the object of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of this resource under sound techniques of land management.
The "greatest" way for the individual or group of individuals to attain the means of their pursuit is to buy the land outright for their own desires and pay the same taxes as the rest of us, which is too much.
The way to lower those property taxes is to get more property in the market by selling government property to the public. Then it is time to close down the Oregon Department of State Lands for even more savings.
The proof of my claim is in the following statement from a local environmentalist group trying to rile up hunters, anglers and others….Rob T.
The only way to save the Elliot Forest is to sell the Elliot Forest.
The feds own 53% of Oregon, which is entirely too much land to be in the hands of bureaucracies in DC. The state retains less than 3% ownership of state land, which translates to about 1.7 million acres. The Elliot forest makes up about 93,000 acres of that total, which means there is plenty of public/government property for outdoor recreation.
Some of the groups who are opposed to the sale are hunters, hikers, anglers and other outdoorsman and they are under the impression that someone, in this case the government, should provide them the land for those activities.
Even though, they have a right to pursue the hunt, the hike, and the fish, unfortunately the US government has no Constitutional authority to use the might of its force to keep property off the market to provide the natural resources for those endeavors. The state constitution does allow for land conservation, but does not specify how much of.the land except in Article VII. The state has to be limited to what it can own or there is no private property rights.
Oregon´s Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5(2), specifies that the Board
…shall manage lands under its jurisdiction with the object of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of this resource under sound techniques of land management.
The "greatest" way for the individual or group of individuals to attain the means of their pursuit is to buy the land outright for their own desires and pay the same taxes as the rest of us, which is too much.
The way to lower those property taxes is to get more property in the market by selling government property to the public. Then it is time to close down the Oregon Department of State Lands for even more savings.
The proof of my claim is in the following statement from a local environmentalist group trying to rile up hunters, anglers and others….Rob T.
December 13, 2016: This is not an LNG related item but very important just the same. CALLING ON ALL HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN. Private forest landowners like Weyerhaeuser have now all but priced locals out of their lands for hunting and fishing, unless you can afford their exuberant fees… In addition to the State’s hunting licensing and permit fees, Weyerhaeuser charged an additional $700 for two people in my family to hunt for 5 days on their lands last year. This is exactly what we can expect from the Elliott too, if the State allows our public lands to be sold to private companies. The Elliott State Forest — 92,000 acres of your public lands — is in the process of being sold by the State of Oregon. On December 13th the State Land Board will meet to decide the fate of the Elliott. Once your public land is gone it can never be recovered.
TIME IS SHORT! DO YOUR PART NOW TO KEEP THE ELLIOTT PUBLIC!
Find out more here:
http://www.savetheelliott.com/
And also here:
http://mountainsinclouds.com/
Newsroom
Article Content
Dec. 6, 2016
For immediate release 16-16
Contact: Julie Curtis - 503-986-5298; julie.curtis@state.or.us
Department of State Lands to report on Elliott State Forest
Ownership Transfer Opportunity on Dec. 13
Salem - The Department of State Lands (DSL) will be providing information about the one ownership transfer plan received for the 82,500 acres of Common School lands within the Elliott State Forest at the State Land Board's Dec. 13 public meeting.
The meeting will be held in a different location to accommodate the public:
Dec. 13, 2016
10:00 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m.
Keizer Community Center
930 Chemawa Road NE
Keizer, OR
In the spring of 2014, after more than a decade of trying to resolve declining Common School Fund revenues from the Elliott, and confronted with a projection of ongoing deficits, DSL began a broad outreach effort to solicit public input into resolving the dilemma.
The results of this outreach and related technical analyses were presented to the Land Board, and in August 2015 the Board approved moving forward with an approach -- the Elliott State Forest Ownership Transfer Opportunity Protocol -- to identify a new owner for the Elliott property.
Over the past 16 months, DSL has been implementing the Protocol, engaging the public and about 50 entities that expressed interest, and completing extensive due diligence on the property. By the deadline of Nov. 15, 2016, DSL had received one ownership plan for the Elliott.
The plan was submitted by Lone Rock Timber Management Company, in cooperation with two federally recognized Indian tribes: The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and with support and advice from additional organizations and tribes.
The plan was reviewed by the Department of State Lands and Department of Justice, and deemed responsive to the criteria outlined in the Protocol:
The Land Board will be asked to provide input and direction on proceeding with the development of an offer of direct sale, and on exploring options with the potential new owner and additional partners.
Public testimony will be accepted at the meeting. All speakers will need to sign in when they arrive. The Department anticipates a maximum of two minutes will be allotted to each speaker. It is possible that the time will be shorter if needed to accommodate the public requesting to speak.
People are encouraged to bring written copies of their comments in case time constraints prevent everyone from speaking. All oral and written comments will be made part of the official record.
The meeting will be held in a facility that is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you need assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability, please notify Lorna Stafford at (503) 986-5224 or lorna.stafford@state.or.us at least two working days prior to the meeting.
Elliott agenda item: http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SLB/docs/2016_docs/slb_dec2016_item2.pdf
The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon's Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit.
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www.oregonstatelands.us
Article Content
Dec. 6, 2016
For immediate release 16-16
Contact: Julie Curtis - 503-986-5298; julie.curtis@state.or.us
Department of State Lands to report on Elliott State Forest
Ownership Transfer Opportunity on Dec. 13
Salem - The Department of State Lands (DSL) will be providing information about the one ownership transfer plan received for the 82,500 acres of Common School lands within the Elliott State Forest at the State Land Board's Dec. 13 public meeting.
The meeting will be held in a different location to accommodate the public:
Dec. 13, 2016
10:00 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m.
Keizer Community Center
930 Chemawa Road NE
Keizer, OR
In the spring of 2014, after more than a decade of trying to resolve declining Common School Fund revenues from the Elliott, and confronted with a projection of ongoing deficits, DSL began a broad outreach effort to solicit public input into resolving the dilemma.
The results of this outreach and related technical analyses were presented to the Land Board, and in August 2015 the Board approved moving forward with an approach -- the Elliott State Forest Ownership Transfer Opportunity Protocol -- to identify a new owner for the Elliott property.
Over the past 16 months, DSL has been implementing the Protocol, engaging the public and about 50 entities that expressed interest, and completing extensive due diligence on the property. By the deadline of Nov. 15, 2016, DSL had received one ownership plan for the Elliott.
The plan was submitted by Lone Rock Timber Management Company, in cooperation with two federally recognized Indian tribes: The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and with support and advice from additional organizations and tribes.
The plan was reviewed by the Department of State Lands and Department of Justice, and deemed responsive to the criteria outlined in the Protocol:
- The plan demonstrates adequate equity investment and financing to acquire the Elliott Property at the established fair market value price of $220.8 million, in cash at closing.
- The plan proposes enhanced public benefits as required by the Protocol that exceed those which are already provided under applicable law.
- The plan recites enforceable mechanisms required for providing the enhanced public benefits in perpetuity.
- Public access rights, and compliance and means of public enforcement.
- Expectations related to Harvest Protection Areas.
- Allowable activities in Riparian Management Areas.
- Enforceable mechanisms, including third-party enforcement rights in the conservation easement.
The Land Board will be asked to provide input and direction on proceeding with the development of an offer of direct sale, and on exploring options with the potential new owner and additional partners.
Public testimony will be accepted at the meeting. All speakers will need to sign in when they arrive. The Department anticipates a maximum of two minutes will be allotted to each speaker. It is possible that the time will be shorter if needed to accommodate the public requesting to speak.
People are encouraged to bring written copies of their comments in case time constraints prevent everyone from speaking. All oral and written comments will be made part of the official record.
The meeting will be held in a facility that is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you need assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability, please notify Lorna Stafford at (503) 986-5224 or lorna.stafford@state.or.us at least two working days prior to the meeting.
Elliott agenda item: http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SLB/docs/2016_docs/slb_dec2016_item2.pdf
The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon's Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit.
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www.oregonstatelands.us
State Land Board
Since statehood in 1859, the Land Board has been composed of the Governor (chair), Secretary of State and State Treasurer. Governor Kate Brown was sworn in as Oregon's 38th Governor on February 18, 2015. Brown was elected Oregon's Secretary of State in 2008, and previously served in the Oregon Legislature for 17 years (1991-2008), where she became Oregon's first woman to serve as the Senate Majority Leader. Gov. Brown appointed Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins in March 2015. Atkins served for six years as state director for U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (2009-2015), and held a variety of top-level positions with the Oregon Legislature and Department of Human Services. State Treasurer Ted Wheeler began his service in 2010. Wheeler served as Multnomah County chair from November 2006-March 2010, and worked previously in the financial industry with Bank of America and the Copper Mountain Trust.
Oregon's Constitution directs the Land Board to manage lands under its jurisdiction to obtain the greatest benefit for the people of Oregon, consistent with resource conservation and sound land management. The board oversees the Common School Fund and state lands dedicated to providing revenue for the fund.
More
Since statehood in 1859, the Land Board has been composed of the Governor (chair), Secretary of State and State Treasurer. Governor Kate Brown was sworn in as Oregon's 38th Governor on February 18, 2015. Brown was elected Oregon's Secretary of State in 2008, and previously served in the Oregon Legislature for 17 years (1991-2008), where she became Oregon's first woman to serve as the Senate Majority Leader. Gov. Brown appointed Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins in March 2015. Atkins served for six years as state director for U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (2009-2015), and held a variety of top-level positions with the Oregon Legislature and Department of Human Services. State Treasurer Ted Wheeler began his service in 2010. Wheeler served as Multnomah County chair from November 2006-March 2010, and worked previously in the financial industry with Bank of America and the Copper Mountain Trust.
Oregon's Constitution directs the Land Board to manage lands under its jurisdiction to obtain the greatest benefit for the people of Oregon, consistent with resource conservation and sound land management. The board oversees the Common School Fund and state lands dedicated to providing revenue for the fund.
More
Beginning with Ohio in 1802, the U.S. Congress awarded specific sections of land to states when they entered the Union with the stipulation that the proceeds from these lands be used for educational purposes.
In Oregon, the lands originally granted by Congress under the Oregon Admission Act included roughly 6% of the new state´s land for the use of schools.
The state also received all of the submerged and submersible lands underlying navigable waterways.
These lands and their mineral, timber and other resources, along with the income from the lands, were dedicated to Oregon´s Common School Fund, a trust for the benefit of the state´s public K-12 schools.
The State Land Board, composed of the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer, was established under the Oregon Constitution to manage these lands and serve as trustee of the Fund.
Oregon´s Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5(2), specifies that the Board
…shall manage lands under its jurisdiction with the object of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of this resource under sound techniques of land management.
Over the years, many of the original school land sections were sold or traded to private individuals and other agencies. Today, the Board´s land base includes nearly 1.6 million acres of state land and resource assets, including agricultural and range land in eastern Oregon, forest land in western Oregon, numerous small tracts, and the submerged and submersible lands beneath the state´s tidally-influenced and navigable waterways. The Board also holds title to mineral rights on all these lands and manages the mineral rights on other state agency lands (about 2 million acres total).
The Board leases state lands and other resources to public and private interests for a variety of business activities. Rangeland is leased to ranchers for grazing, timber is sold, and waterway areas are leased for uses such as sand and gravel removal, houseboat moorages, marinas and log storage.
The Department of State Lands, as the administrative agency of the Land Board, manages these activities with the exception of forest land management, which is performed by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry under a contract with the Land Board. The rents and royalties received from these activities are deposited in the Common School Fund.
In Oregon, the lands originally granted by Congress under the Oregon Admission Act included roughly 6% of the new state´s land for the use of schools.
The state also received all of the submerged and submersible lands underlying navigable waterways.
These lands and their mineral, timber and other resources, along with the income from the lands, were dedicated to Oregon´s Common School Fund, a trust for the benefit of the state´s public K-12 schools.
The State Land Board, composed of the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer, was established under the Oregon Constitution to manage these lands and serve as trustee of the Fund.
Oregon´s Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5(2), specifies that the Board
…shall manage lands under its jurisdiction with the object of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of this resource under sound techniques of land management.
Over the years, many of the original school land sections were sold or traded to private individuals and other agencies. Today, the Board´s land base includes nearly 1.6 million acres of state land and resource assets, including agricultural and range land in eastern Oregon, forest land in western Oregon, numerous small tracts, and the submerged and submersible lands beneath the state´s tidally-influenced and navigable waterways. The Board also holds title to mineral rights on all these lands and manages the mineral rights on other state agency lands (about 2 million acres total).
The Board leases state lands and other resources to public and private interests for a variety of business activities. Rangeland is leased to ranchers for grazing, timber is sold, and waterway areas are leased for uses such as sand and gravel removal, houseboat moorages, marinas and log storage.
The Department of State Lands, as the administrative agency of the Land Board, manages these activities with the exception of forest land management, which is performed by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry under a contract with the Land Board. The rents and royalties received from these activities are deposited in the Common School Fund.
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