*** FREE FREE Clean up in the Forest Tracts ***

Yes well it's late notice if you didn't see this in the newsletter already but like last year the FIREFREE group has funding to do a pine needles pick up and will make rounds sometime beginning (but not before) June 26th.  To participate all you need do is put your needles out at the head of your driveway, near but not IN the main roadway.  It takes them several days to get ALL of the tracts, but once your group has it's pickup that's it>...The Forest Service is no longer letting us use the dump site we had used for so many years.

Last year the largest amount of needles ever removed from the tracts was collected.  Our properties (and the Forest) are that much safer when we do this.  Hope you can work it in...

C2 & Cabin Owners Attend Wyden Hearing ~Message from Sharon Karr~

June 6th, 2010 at 21:10

Last Friday, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) was in Bend, OR to hold the second hearing on his bill, S. 2895, to overhaul management of Central and Eastern Oregon forests. With him were the Energy and Natural Resources Public Lands and Forests subcommittee, which he chairs, his D.C. and Oregon staff, and Frank Gladics, minority staff member of the subcommittee.

The national forests included in this bill also include eleven cabin tracts with a total of 424 cabins, with fees ranging from $350 to $5,500. The tracts I’ve visited exist in forest conditions where cabins have burned in forest fires and permits were lost when rebuilding wasn’t allowed. The forest conditions need attention and this seemed like an opportunity to hear both sides of the debate and see Senator Wyden at work, perhaps learning a little about his style of chairing a hearing.

When C2 has a companion bill (to H.R. 4888) in the Senate, the hearing will be held before Wyden and this subcommittee. Wyden knew his topic well. His questions and dialog with the 11 witnesses was a no-holds-barred style, demanding answers and when the answer wasn’t forthcoming, asking the witness to get back to him with the information. All sides of the debate were presented, from the timber industry, the conservation and environmentalist movement, and the Native Americans who reside and work within the east-side reservations surrounded by national forests.

What was very interesting to me was the timber industry is divided internally as are the environmentalists. This deeply perplexed Senator Wyden. He asked repeatedly why one timber operator hasn’t spoken with the opposing timber operator; why one conservationist group opposes what other environmental groups support. He wanted everyone at the table to communicate, with one another, with him, and with his staff.

I find a valuable lesson in Wyden’s insisting everyone communicates in all directions. C2 has followed the model of communicating and sharing information since the beginning. Continuing to talk, meet, answer questions and educate the agency and political staffers in a bi-partisan way is to C2’s advantage and will appeal to Wyden.

Thanks to the local cabin owners from Crescent Lake, Diamond Lake and the Metolius who attended the hearing, showing your interest in Senator Wyden’s proposal for central and east-side Oregon forests. By simply signing in as a cabin owner on USFS land lets Wyden, his staff and the committee know cabin owners and C2 are organized, still working and serious about a solution. Although the hearing lasted almost three hours, your time was well spent, using this as an opportunity to let Wyden know cabin owners are united and are vested in the health of the forests and the future of our cabins.

Upcoming Community Events

MRFHA ANNUAL JULY MEETING
Saturday, July 3rd, 1:00 PM at the Camp Sherman Community Hall. We will nominate a new board member. Board meeting to follow afterward.

FIREFREE PARNERSHIP
The FireFree Partnership will be facilitating another pick up starting June 28th. Be sure your material is placed curbside along the tract road.

ADOPT A RIVER WALK
Sunday, September 6th, 9:00 AM at the Camp Sherman Store. Groups will be designated by Tract. Come enjoy a lovely morning walk while helping to maintain the pristine quality of our beloved Metolius River.

MRFHA ANNUAL PICNIC
Sunday, September 9th, 4 to 5 PM Social; 5-6:30 PM Potluck at the Johnson Cabin near the Head of the Metolius. Bring your cabin guests, a favorite dish, plates and eating utensils. Non-Alcoholic beverages will be provided by MRFHA.

Call to Action: HR 4888 Needs Your Support!

~To All Oregon Cabin Owners: C2 Update from Pete Bailey~

Greetings All,

We are enthused. The Cabin Fee Act (H.R. 4888) is definitely attracting interest and support in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Congressman Doc Hastings (R-WA), now has 16 cosponsors and received a very positive hearing on April 22nd from the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, chaired by Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). All cabin owners are urged to continue to let their U.S. Representatives know how important this bill is to the future of their cabin ownership and to the continuation of the cabin program as a source of affordable, family recreation. If your Representative is a cosponsor of H.R. 4888 (listed below), please be sure to thank him or her. If not, ask your Representative to become a cosponsor. We will provide updates on future cosponsors.

No comparable legislation has yet been introduced in the U.S. Senate and our supporters there are looking for further progress regarding H.R. 4888 in the House. We urge all cabin owners to continue to ask their Senators to support this bipartisan legislation. They should be asked to support companion legislation in the Senate.

If your Senator is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests or the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, they should be asked to consider introducing this historic legislation. A list of those members is included below. While primary attention is now being focused on the House, cabin owner leaders and representatives have visited and are keeping in touch with key Senators and their staff to encourage bipartisan legislation in that body. Early introduction of a Senate bill similar to H.R. 4888 will facilitate early action there. We request your help in keeping the Cabin Fee Act "top of mind" for Senators, as well as Representatives.

Thanks for your continuing engagement and support. Let’s keep this moving forward.

Please, tell your Representative to cosponsor and support HR 4888.

Please, tell your Senators to support introduction of identical or similar legislation in the Senate.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS AND FORESTS

Democratic Members:

Ron Wyden, OR, Chairman

Email: http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Portland office phone: 503-326-7525 Portland office fax: 503-326-7528

Tim Johnson (SD)

Mary Landrieu (LA)

Maria Cantwell (WA)

Bob Menendez (NJ)

Blanche Lincoln (AR)

Mark Udall (CO)

Jeanne Shaheen (NH)

Jeff Bingaman (NM) (Committee Chairman and ex officio member of all subcommittees)

Republican Members:

John Barrasso (WY) (Ranking Subcommittee Member)

Jim Risch (ID)

John McCain (AZ)

Bob Bennett (UT)

Jeff Sessions (AL)

Bob Corker (TN)

Lisa Murkowski (AK) (Ranking Committee Member and ex officio member of all subcommittees)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES

Democratic Members:

Diane Feinstein (CA), Chair

Robert Byrd, (WV)

Patrick Leahy (VT)

Byron Dorgan (ND)

Barbara Mikulski (MD)

Herb Kohl (WI)

Tim Johnson (SD)

Jack Reed (RI)

Ben Nelson (NE)

Jon Tester (MT)

Daniel Inouye (HI) (Committee Chairman and ex officio member of all subcommittees)

Republican Members:

Lamar Alexander (TN) (Ranking Subcommittee Member)

Thad Cochran (MS) (Ranking Committee Member)

Bob Bennett (UT)

Judd Gregg (NH)

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Susan Collins (ME)

A Message from Peter Bailey ~ NFH Director & C2 Legislative Contact Chair

It was a full three days in DC, but the results have been very worthwhile! In addition to preparations and a successful Hearing, we made 11 Congressional office visits Thursday afternoon and Friday.

The Hearing was very well attended with 10 Representatives making appearances. This was acknowledged as very positive, as much lower attendance is the norm. Deputy Chief of the Forest Service, Joel Holtrop, was asked hard questions. The audio says it all. All of our written testimonies and an audio of the Hearing can be found at http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=181123

A tone of cooperation was heard from the Forest Service in testimony and by personnel attending the meeting. The FS apparently will not oppose the bill, but did raise some issues that will need to be better clarified. We agree these issues need discussion and that mutually beneficial solutions should be sought.

1. Revenue projections, to meet the ‘pay-as-you-go’ concerns of the Congressional Budget Office ( CBO), are the most demanding. Suggestions were made to consider different tier levels and/or percentages per tier. We believe the CFA, as written, addresses these issues already and is comparable and defensible.

2. There is a need to reduce FS administrative costs of the Program going forward. Certainly the adoption of the CFA will be a big step in this direction.

3. A plan to address a transition period before full implementation of a new law will be necessary. Right now fees are being determined from three different appraisal cycles, adding to the need for clarifying discussions about any transition.

4. The FS requested support for studying those cabins situations that are adjacent to and possess characteristics of urban areas.

With the guidance of Congressman Doc Hastings and the Subcommittee, we hope to address these concerns with constructive dialogue over the next few weeks. Any ‘markup’ session in the Committee will be facilitated if cabin owners and the Forest Service are working together to solve problems with mutual understanding.

Additional reports and timely updates will be on the NFH website blog. A special Thank You to Sharon Karr for reporting much of the blow by blow at: http://nationalforesthomeowners.org/leadership/

Though much remains, the forward movement is very encouraging.

Pete

Peter D. Bailey

NFH Director & C2 Legislative Contact chair

253-383-2388 Home Office

253-312-0777 Cell

HR 4888 SubcommitteeHearing

The subcommittee hearing for HR 4888, the Cabin Fee Act of 2010 or C2, occurred on Thursday, April 22^nd. Sharon Karr was present in Washington, DC. She kindly posted on the NFH website a link to an audio recording and text from Thursday’s hearing. Click on the following link to access either option: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=54&extmode=view&extid=347

Sharon also indicated that Congressional members are hearing from cabin owners about the importance of supporting C2. If you would like to write a letter to be included in the public record for HR. 4888, please send it via email to emily.lande@mail.house.gov. United, active voices are imperative to usher this bill to success! Stay tuned for further updates.

A Message from Peter Bailey ~ NFH Director & C2 Legislative Contact Chair

Email meganprince@me.com to obtain the Problem Overview and Public Benefits of the RRP that will be used as informative pieces for Congressional staff and others. Please read and digest. These papers represents the best effort to date to state the problem simply and comprehensively on just a few pages and tout the public value of the Program. We hope they contribute to everyone’s understanding and appreciation of the Cabin Fee Act of 2010 and why we believe it is the best answer to our cabin fee problems.

A Congressional Hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, April 22nd by the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands subcommittee of the Natural Resources committee. We are sending a six person delegation. At least 3 will be witnesses. Our preparations have been extensive and will continue.

The chair of this subcommittee is Cong. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rob Bishop (R-UT) is the Ranking Member. We expect Bill Co-sponsor, Cong. Jim Costa, to participate. Also, on this subcommittee from cabin states are the following:

Dale E. Kildee, Michigan
Grace F. Napolitano, California
Martin Heinrich, New Mexico
Peter A. DeFazio, Oregon
Diana DeGette, Colorado
Ron Kind, Wisconsin
Lois Capps, California
Jay Inslee, Washington
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, South Dakota
Nick J. Rahall, II, West Virginia (ex officio)
Don Young, Alaska
Elton Gallegly, California
John J. Duncan, Jr., Tennessee
Jeff Flake, Arizona
Henry E. Brown, Jr., South Carolina
Bill Shuster, Pennsylvania
Mike Coffman, Colorado
Cynthia M. Lummis, Wyoming
Tom McClintock, California
Doc Hastings, Washington (ex officio)

Action Request: If you are a constituent of their district, please make the effort (once again) to phone, email or fax your Congressperson with the request for their positive support of the Cabin Fee Act and participation in the Hearing. Feel free to include the two documents as well for their review. Grassroots action works and is needed. Please do it today!

In just a few weeks, we will be convening in Reno, NV for the 2010 NFH Convention, April 15-18. We hope that everyone makes the effort to attend during this challenging time. Please review the latest NFH newsletter for details.

Pete

Peter D. Bailey
NFH Director & C2 Legislative Contact chair
253-383-2388 Home Office
253-312-0777 Cell

Call to Action: HR 4888 Needs Your Support, Send Your Message Today!

The Cabin Fee Act of 2010, HR 4888, is available on the OFHA website by selecting, "Click here to Review HR 4888” at www.oregonforesthomeowners.com

An urgent request has been released for every cabin owner to contact his or her Congressional Delegation. Please see the list of Oregon Senators and Representatives below. If you live out of state, you can locate FAX, email and phone numbers for other offices or other Congressional delegates at: http://www.contactingthecongress.org. Make sure that every representative hears from us, Democrat and Republican alike. Please contact meganprince@me.com to obtain an electronic template to guide your correspondence or devise your own message.

Step 1: FAX, email or even phone your Representative asking them to become a co-sponsor to HR 4888.

Step 2: FAX, email or phone both your Senators asking them to support a companion bill in the Senate.

Senators:

Ron Wyden (D)

Email: http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Portland office phone: 503-326-7525

Portland office fax: 503-326-7528

Jeff Merkley (D)

Email: http://merkley.senate.gov/contact/

Portland office phone: 503-326-3386

Portland office fax: 503-326-2900

Representatives:

Peter DeFazio (D)

Email: https://forms.house.gov/defazio/IMA/contact.html

Eugene office phone: 541-465-6732

Eugene office fax: 541-465-6458

Earl Blumenauer (D)

Email: http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=206

Portland office phone: 503-231-2300

Portland office fax: 503-230-5413

David Wu (D)

Email: http://www.house.gov/wu/email.shtml

Portland office phone: 503-422-4003

Portland office fax: 503-326-5066

Kurt Schrader (D)

Email: http://schrader.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=7&sectiontree=47

Salem office phone: 503-588-9100

Salem office fax: 503-588-5517

Greg Walden (R)

Email: http://walden.house.gov/ContactGreg.Home.shtml

Bend office phone: 541-389-4408

Bend office fax: 541-389-4452

Cabin Fee Act of 2010 assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources as bill HR 4888

~A Message from Sharon Karr~

HR 4888

Title: To revise the Forest Service Recreation Residence Program as it applies to units of the National Forest System derived from the public domain by implementing a simple, equitable, and predictable procedure for determining cabin user fees, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Hastings, Doc [WA-4] (introduced 3/19/2010) Cosponsors (11)

Latest Major Action: 3/19/2010 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

11 Co-sponsors:

Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 3/19/2010

Rep Chaffed, Jason [UT-3] - 3/19/2010

Rep Costa, Jim [CA-20] - 3/19/2010

Rep Herger, Wally [CA-2] - 3/19/2010

Rep Lummis, Cynthia M. [WY] - 3/19/2010

Rep McClintock, Tom [CA-4] - 3/19/2010

Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] - 3/19/2010

Rep Nunes, Devin [CA-21] - 3/19/2010

Rep Radanovich, George [CA-19] - 3/19/2010

Rep Rehberg, Denny R. [MT] - 3/19/2010

Rep Simpson, Michael K. [ID-2] - 3/19/2010

If you reside in the district of any of these co-sponsors please consider sending an email or fax, thanking them for their support.

We will be asking everyone to re-engage his or her Congressperson. We will need as many additional co-sponsors as possible, with an emphasis on the Democrats. We will be contacting everyone early next week with the C2 plan for soliciting more co-sponsors. Your efforts in your local districts will be the difference in our success or not. Critical mass comes from your involvement.

Thanks for your support.

Sharon Karr

C2 Representative - Diamond Lake