White House threatens veto on Oregon lands bill
Source: Associated Press
White House threatens veto on Oregon lands bill
By JEFF BARNARD, Associated Press | September 18, 2013 | Updated: September 18, 2013 7:32pm
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — The White House is threatening to veto a bill to boost logging on national forests, including a provision aimed at producing more money for timber counties in Oregon.
The Statement of Administration Policy issued Wednesday by the Office of Management and Budget says if the bill were presented to President Obama, his senior advisers would recommend a veto.
The bill includes a provision developed by members of the Oregon delegation to turn over half the so-called O&C lands in Western Oregon to a state-appointed trust that would manage them for timber production. The other half would be managed for fish and wildlife habitat, and includes creation of new wilderness areas. The measure includes a federal subsidy for timber counties until the logging revenues start to come in.
The administration says that would harm habitat for endangered species, increase the chance of lawsuits, and limit the president's ability to create national monuments.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/science/article/White-House-threatens-veto-on-Oregon-lands-bill-4825598.php
= new reply since forum marked as read
