OFHA Annual Meeting this Saturday

Location:

The Courtyard by Marriott
600 Airport Road
Medford, OR 97504
1 541-772-5656

Time: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM


Please join us for an information packed gathering of fellow OFHA members. We will have a panel discussion of the Cabin Fee Act of 2012.This panel will include members from our state organization as well as:

• Geoff Anderson, President of National Forest Homeowners Association.

• Pete Bailey, C2 Legislative Contact chair

We will also have our annual State of The Region presentation by James Saucer, USFS Region 6 Special Use Coordinator.

Congressman Greg Walden will be represented by Southern Oregon Chief of Staff, Rob Patridge. Rob will present the O&C Trust, Conservation and Jobs Act

Our historically fantabulous door prizes will be handed out throughout the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you and your children at our Annual Meeting.

Cell Tower Proposal Atop Cinder Pits

US Cellular has applied for a permit with the Forest Service to place a cell tower atop the uppermost cinder pit off road 1420. Last nite a meeting was held at the Camp Sherman Community Hall to open a dialog for voicing comment and concerns. Three representatives from US Cellular and the Forest Service gave presentations and answered questions.

In the proposal US Cellular will "rent" the area from the Forest Service, enclosing an 80' by 80' area to construct a tower that will reach 100' in height. US Cellular will also offer the opportunity for other service providers to utilize the tower for reception, including safety services. A road on the north side of the uppermost pit would be built for access purposes.

Be certain to let your voice be heard:

US Forest Service, Sister - 541-549-7706 OR

Sommer Moore - slmoore@fs.fed.us

IMPORTANT Cabin Owner CALL TO ACTION!

Your Grassroots Efforts are Needed Now

Breaking News: A Senate hearing on S. 1906, the Cabin Fee Act of 2011, has been scheduled for March 22, 2012 before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, chaired by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). Coalition 2 is in full preparation mode!

Now is your time to help! Extensive grassroots efforts to contact key Senators are essential to support a successful hearing and passage of the legislation. Important Senators highlighted below are from cabin states and are members of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. If they also sit on the Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee, that is also noted below. Their support is required for the review of S. 1906, the Cabin Fee Act of 2011, and the successful passage out of committee. These Senators must hear from you and know you care about the Cabin Fee Act! The message you convey to your Senators should be consistent and to the point:

· We have a revenue neutral bill that has been reviewed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

· The bill has genuine bi-partisan support, with the following co-sponsors: Jon Tester [D- MT] (Sponsor), John Barrasso [R-WY], Max Baucus [D-MT], Michael Enzi [R-WY], Dianne Feinstein [D-CA], Charles Grassley [R-IA], and James Risch [R-ID].

· We ask that committee members favorably support the passage of the bill out of committee.

This task is simple! Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask for your Senator’s office. When connected, tell them that your call is about S. 1906, the Cabin Fee Act. You should then be transferred to the staff person who handles natural resources or national forest issues. Convey your personalized message to that person. Every call helps gain support, please do your part. The entire ENR committee should hear from cabin owners! Call or email your Senator today!

Democrats

Jeff Bingaman (NM), Chairman of full ENR Committee

Ron Wyden (OR) (PLF) PLF, Chairman

Tim Johnson (SD) (PLF)

Mary L. Landrieu (LA) (PLF)

Maria Cantwell (WA) (PLF)

Bernard Sanders (I-VT)

Debbie Stabenow (MI)

Mark Udall (CO) (PLF)

Jeanne Shaheen (NH) (PLF)

Al Franken (MN) (PLF)

Joe Manchin (WV)

Christopher A. Coons (DE) (PLF)

Republicans

Lisa Murkowski (AK), Ranking (Senior Republican) on full ENR Committee

John Barrasso (WY) (PLF) Co-sponsor

James E. Risch (ID) (PLF) Co-sponsor

Mike Lee (UT) (PLF)

Rand Paul (KY) (PLF)

Daniel Coats (IN)

Rob Portman (OH) (PLF)

John Hoeven (ND) (PLF)

Dean Heller (NV) (PLF)

Bob Corker (TN)

Camp Sherman Community Meeting on Cell Tower Proposal for the Cinder Pits off RD1420

The Forest Service has received a proposal from US Cellular to construct a cellular tower facility on Schilling Cinder Pit in the Metolius Basin. The proposal would include construction of a cellular tower, equipment shelter, an 80' X 80' fenced enclosure, construction of an access road and installation of utilities to the site. There is likely to be some visual impact associated with the tower and temporary environmental impacts during construction.

The Forest Service, in conjunction with US Cellular, is planning a community meeting at the Camp Sherman Community Hall on March 7, 2012 at 5:30 pm. We would like to invite all interested individuals to participate and share comments about the proposal. This will be an opportunity to share the project proposal with the Camp Sherman community and answer questions, get feedback, etc.


Sommer L. Moore
Special Use Administrator
Deschutes National Forest
Sisters Ranger District
(541)549-7706