Klamath Basin Business

November 2018

KLAMATH BASIN

Basin Business

Business

Chamber Gala nominations now open — Page 3

Ribboncuttings, new openings

— Page 6

Financial Focus: Tips on how and when to use an annuity

Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

Friends of the Children donation — Page 3

Quilt shop a labor of love Tisha Carpenter has been a professional quilter since 2009, creating some 500 quilts in that time. Today, her shop is a central point for teaching the art from, plus offers a wealth of charity work.

See story, Page 2

— Page 5 H&N photo by Gerry O’Brien

A publication of the Herald & News Chamber: www.klamath.org

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Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

Basin Business

n Business profile

My Little Quilt Shop has a big heart Professional quilting, refurbishing used quilts and creating memorable Quilts ... all part of the business

By Gerry O’Brien

H&N Editor

T

isha Carpenter likes to remark about anyone who enters her quilt shop, “Come in as a customer, but leave as a friend.”

It’s certainly true with all the care Carpenter puts into her work, the numerous volunteers who offer to help her out, plus all the charity work she supports with her quilts.

My Little Quilt Shop is located at 4230 Winter Ave., just off Summers Lane and a block south of Mia’s My Little Quilt Shop Address: 4230 Winter and Pia’s restaurant, Ave., Klamath Falls, in Klamath OR 97603 Falls.

Hours: It’s a great Tuesday to Saturday place to stop 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in if one is Closed Sunday & a newbie to Monday quilting, or Phone: (541) 891-9873 would like a www.mylittlequiltshop. quilt refurbished, or has online/ a special item in mind for a remembrance or is just interested in learning the art form.

Carpenter has been quilting professionally since 2009. Born in Illinois, she grew up in the Basin when her parents moved out here in 1981.

“I wanted to raise my kids myself and found myself as a single mom and two little boys. I didn’t want to hire someone else to teach them morals and ethics and values. And so, I sewed,” she said. “I made quilts, valances, pillowcases, and grocery bags, anything that was pretty flat and square. I was not into sewing clothes.”

For a time she worked at Kay’s Quilted Rooster on South Sixth Street before striking out on her own.

Her father, Mike, redid the first home she was working out of, installing a large, north-facing window for the best light while sewing. When she moved into her current location, he did the same.

“I really like that north light over my

H&N photos by Gerry O’Brien

Examples of some of Tisha Carpenter’s handiwork. back,” she said. The home took about one month to renovate, but the shop a little longer — 11 months — as her father had hurt his back during the remodel.

Today it sports a large display room of her work, complete with quilting machines and a room for holding classes and gatherings.

“I like to have what I call pillowcase parties, where a group of women can come in, chat and gossip, drink coffee and sew.”

Carpenter offers classes on all types of quilt sewing, one just has to ask. She recently did a jellyroll rug class, which involves some 50 yards of precut string and backing twisted together to form a

unique pattern.

Refurbishing old, worn-out quilts is a specialty of Carpenter’s.

“We have refurbished some quilts that date back to 1911. The fabric was so worn, you could hold it up to a light and read a newspaper through it.”

There remains quilt designs from the ’20s and ’30s that Carpenter can use to restore an old quilt. The quality of the fabric is better today than in years past, so refurbished quilts should hold up longer, but will maintain that older look and feel.

But what is impressive is the amount of charity work her shop turns out.

She has made quilts for the Hope Preg-

See Quilts, Page 4

Basin Business

Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

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Chamber news of note

Nominations open for Chamber gala Give your favorite business a chance to shine at the Chamber’s 2019 Awards Gala

Know a business or individual who has done something remarkable this year?

Wish this person was recognized?

At the 2019 Annual Awards Gala, these people or business have a chance to get recognized for the positive impact they have had in our community.

Nominations are currently open for the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce 98th Annual Awards Gala sponsored by US Bank.

This Hollywood-style awards show is scheduled for Jan. 19, at the Ross Ragland Theater.

The Chamber is accepting nominations for the following awards (see website at www.klamath.org for category details): n Big Idea Innovation Award n Environmental Leadership Award n Commitment to Community Award n Best Place to Work (2 Categories) n Spirit of Entrepreneurism n Lifetime Achievement

n Pathfinder Award Each year the Chamber presents awards at the annual gala including the Big Idea Innovation Award, awarded to an organization in any industry that employs new ideas or approaches to doing business; the Commitment to Community Award, awarded to any organization in any industry that demonstrates a successful approach to corporate social responsibility and can show a positive impact on the community; Lifetime Achievement, awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional business achievement and outstanding commitment to Klamath’s business community over their lifetime; and the Pathfinder Award, awarded to presidents, principals or chief executive officers for devoting time and energy to strengthen and transform the organization that they lead.

Nominate now, and help your favorite business or leader gain the recognition they deserve.

Call (541) 884-5193 for more information or visit our website at www.klamath. org. Nominations can be submitted electronically, via email to inquiry@klamath. org, or via mail at 205 Riverside Drive, Suite A, Klamath Falls, OR 97601.

Submitted photo

From left are: Dan Hernandez, Jon Glidewell, Amanda Squibb, Bryan Phillips, Anna Sanders, Anne Taylor and Jamie Tschetter.

U.S. Bank donates $2,500 to Friends Friends of the Children, a national nonprofit that pairs children facing the highest risks with a salaried, professional mentor — called a Friend — for 12 ½ years, received a $2,500 donation from the U.S. Bank Foundation.

Bryan Phillips, assistant vice president/ relationship manager and branch managers Dan Hernandez and Jamie Tschetter presented Executive Director Amanda Squibb with a check that will be used for financial literacy classes for its kindergarten through fifth-grade program youth.

Friends of the Children is so grateful that the U.S. Bank Foundation has taken such an active role in its belief that education ensures the prosperity of our communities, according to a press release.

About Friends of the Children: Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit whose mission is to provide the most vulnerable children a nurturing and

sustained relationship with a salaried, professional mentor, called a Friend, who teaches positive values and has attainable expectations for each child to become healthy, productive members of the community.

It selects children ages 4-6 from highpoverty schools and the foster care system, and pair them with a salaried, professional mentor who stays with them from kindergarten through graduation – 12 ½ years, no matter what.

The Klamath Basin chapter, which was founded in 2000, employs five full-time Friends.

Friends of the Children, founded 25 years ago in Portland, is in 15 locations across the country and in the U.K. and will be expanding to 25 cities by 2025.

The website is: www.friendsklamath. org or Facebook https://www.facebook. com/friendsklamath/

Celebrate the holiday season with the Chamber of Commerce Looking for some holiday cheer? Look no further than the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce.

On Dec. 13, the Chamber, Discover Klamath, Klamath Basin Home Builders Association, Cal-Ore, KCEDA and Klamath Watershed Partnership will host an open-house Christmas party at 205 Riverside Drive.

The Chamber will be going all out this year by offering free drinks, refreshments and much more!

Everyone is welcome, and this party is free to attend. So, if you’re looking for a great time of celebration, networking and fun this season, this is the event for you.

To learn more, go to www.klamath.org or call (541) 884-5193.

Mark Fay, M.D. Scott Stevens, M.D. Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye

Edwin Tuhy, O.D. Optometrist

Jennifer Sparks, O.D. Optometrist

New Patients Welcome

2640 Biehn St. • 541.884.3148 • www.klamatheyecenter.com

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Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

Quilts

Basin Business

Tourism group gives $28,000 in grants to two counties

from Page 2

nancy Center, Ryan’s Case for Smiles, Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, Quilts of Valor for veterans; plus a whole host of specialty quilts and items of remembrance for those who have lost loved ones.

Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch by Bend, rescues starving and neglected horses and matches them with disadvantaged children, while also offering a Christian ministry.

“The group ministers to a lot of children,” said Carpenter, who is a horse lover herself and trained many horses as a young girl. “My dream is for those kids to have a horse quilt as part of their experience,” she said.

She also designs quilts for teens in the CARES program or Child Abuse Response & Evaluation Services.

While the designated Child Advocacy Center for Klamath and Lake Counties is in Klamath Falls, CARES also serves Modoc and Siskiyou counties in Northern California, providing objective evaluations for over 350 children suspected of being abused each year.

And Carpenter can make custom quilts of remembrance.

For instance, there was a firefighter who had died a while back, and Carpenter gathered up his sweatshirts, T-shirts, Winema “Hot Shots” emblems and jackets to make a remembrance quilt for his children.

In another instance, Allums Nathan Robinson, a 24-year-old, drowned while camping. He was one of seven children to Clifford and Terri Robinson, who also are foster parents. The quilt shop is raffling off a quilt to help cover funeral costs for the Robinsons.

A Klamath Falls city police officer and Afghanistan veteran is having a “defenders of freedom” quilt made for her. And the national group, Quilts of Valor, sends

H&N photos by Gerry O’Brien

Top left: A memorial shirt makes a nice remembrance gift. Above: Tisha Carpernter’s quilt shop has a variety of cloth bolts from which customers can choose a pattern. Below: Quilts of Valor.

Carpenter information to make quilts for veterans, too.

There are also free charity quilt days at the shop, listed on her website: www.mylittlequiltshop. online/, the second Saturday of every month.

“I provide lunch, fabric and all the ladies have to do is come, sit and sew and gab, have a good talk,” she said.

When asked about her monetary investment into the business, she replies, “My heart.”

Travel Southern Oregon has announced that Travel Oregon has awarded grant funding to two Southern Oregon organizations to enhance and expand their products for visitors and residents alike.

Klamath Trails Alliance has been granted $20,000 for the Spence Mountain Trail development to construct “Queen of the Lake,” a second black diamond trail.

A 50-mile network is currently being developed on 7,400 acres and makes Spence Mountain one of the newest professionally built mountain biking venues in Oregon.

The trail can be used for biking or hiking and provides sweeping views of Mt. Shasta, Upper Klamath Lake and Mt. McLoughlin.

Lake County Chamber of Commerce has been given $8,800 to produce a map of the unique geological features of Lake County to visitors, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The funds will be used to design, print and distribute maps highlighting the region’s geological attractions.

The tool will be available throughout Lake County to welcome visitors with the goal of insuring the safely and outdoor enjoyment while educating them about the region.

According to Travel Oregon, applicants are chosen based on their ability to contribute to Oregon’s tourism economy in communities throughout the state that support the organization’s vision of a better life for Oregonians through strong, sustainable local economies.

“We are grateful to Travel Oregon for their support in investing in our community to improve the region’s attractions,” said Brad Niva, executive director, Travel Southern Oregon. “This strong partnership helps to improve the visitor experience while simultaneously enhancing the backyard of those who call Southern Oregon home.

The grant projects are expected to be completed by November 2019. For more information about Southern Oregon – visit us online or follow us on Facebook Instagram and Twitter.

Basin Business — FINANCIAL FOCUS —

Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

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Klamath and Lake counties

Questions to ask when considering an annuity

Like everyone, you want to retire comfortably — without worrying about running out of money. And that’s why you should consider every available source of income for your retirement years. One such source might be a fixed annuity — but is it right for you?

A fixed annuity is an insurance product that can provide you with an income stream you can’t outlive, although payments also can be structured to end after a certain number of years. Your principal and interest rate are guaranteed, based on the claimspaying ability of the issuing company, and the interest you earn is taxdeferred and will compound annually until you begin taking income.

These features are certainly attractive, but, even so, before you invest in an annuity, you will need to ask yourself some key questions, including these: n What other sources of guaranteed income will I have available?

One way to evaluate the value of an annuity is to determine what other guaranteed income you might have available during retirement. If you find that Social Security and any other sources of assured income, such as a pension, are enough to cover all or most of your essential living expenses, then you may not need any additional guaranteed income from an annuity.

However, if these other guaranteed income streams aren’t enough to meet your cost of living, then you might want to invest some of your assets in an annuity. n How much of my retirement funds should I consider putting into an annuity?

You’ll need to determine the portion of your diversified portfolio that a fixed annuity should occupy, taking into account the nature of this investment — specifically, it’s a fixed-rate, income-producing vehicle. This means you’ll want a certain percentage of your portfolio in stocks, another in bonds, and still another percentage in

the guaranteed income from an annuity. The exact percentages will depend on your age, proximity to retirement, risk tolerance and other factors. n What are the issues I might want to discuss with a financial professional before investing in an annuity?

As mentioned above, you will need to determine if, and how, an annuity meets your needs and how it fits into your portfolio. A financial professional can evaluate your situation and help you answer these questions, as well as inform you about other issues related to an annuity.

For example, if you decide to tap in to your annuity earlier than planned, you probably will incur surrender charges. These charges decline each year, usually reaching zero after seven years. Furthermore, different annuities come with different fees, so a financial professional can help determine what options would best suit your needs.

You’ll also need to be aware that while the interest you earn is taxdeferred, it isn’t tax-free. You will be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate once you start taking withdrawals, and withdrawals prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10 percent federal tax penalty. So, you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor before withdrawing from your annuity.

A fixed annuity could be a valuable asset during your retirement years.

But, at the same time, it’s a big investment — so get the help you need to determine if you’re making the right choice.

Meredith Hoffman Financial Advisor-Edward Jones 1307 S Alameda Ave, Suite B Klamath Falls, OR 97603 541-273-2483

Jobless numbers basically unchanged for October The employment and unemployment situation in both Klamath and Lake counties is essentially unchanged from this time last year. Hiring tapered off and the unemployment rate flattened over the past 12 months.

Klamath County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6 percent in October, a slight increase from 5.8 percent in September. The unemployment rate is essentially unchanged from this time last year when it was 5.9 percent.

Klamath County added 30 jobs in October, smaller gains than typically expected this time of year.

Employment levels are essentially unchanged from this time last year with

nonfarm payroll down around 20 jobs from October 2017 (-0.1%). There were relatively strong job gains in retail trade, construction, and health care. However, these gains were negated by job losses in local education, manufacturing, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.

Lake County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in October, up from 5.2 percent in September. The rate is unchanged from this time last year.

Lake County added 10 jobs in October, typically the county posts seasonal job losses this time of year. Over the past year employment levels are essentially unchanged.

Business briefs

Salem City Council bans carryout plastic bags SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Salem City Council has banned plastic carryout bags throughout the city.

The Statesman Journal reports shoppers will need to bring reusable bags to the store or pay a small fee for recyclable paper bags next year under the ban approved Monday.

The measure gives large stores such as Costco until April to comply while smaller businesses will have until September to

follow the rules.

Some businesses can request an extension in certain circumstances.

Stores will still be able to supply customers with plastic bags used for items such as meats, vegetables, fruit and pharmacy prescriptions.

Salem has joined cities such as Corvallis, McMinnville and Portland, which have enacted similar bans in recent years.

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Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

Basin Business

Lone Star Traders marks 1st year

L

one Star Traders LLC is located at 603 S. 6th St., across from Pelican Signs and the downtown AMA gas station in Klamath Falls.

Owners, Alfred, Al and Fran Smith would like to thank the Chamber members that helped them celebrate a ribbon cutting at their store Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Lone Star Traders is a veteran, family owned business and offers a Super Hero Discount of 10 percent which they extend to military including veterans, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS. The Smiths came to Klamath Falls in 2000 when Fran transferred to Kingsley Field with the Air National Guard.

When she retired from the military the family loved the community so much that they decided to make Klamath their forever home.

Their store is an upscale trading post and carries an amazing inventory of new, used, antique and collectible merchandise.

The showroom floor is more than 4,000 square feet and new merchandise is put out daily.

One never knows what one might find. They have everything from furniture, outdoor gear and tools to jewelry, household and toys.

They also have an extensive collection of over 3,500 DVDs and train memorabilia, records and knives. They invite everyone to come on out and pay them a visit.

Chamber of commerce officials and owners cut the ribbon at Lone Star Traders.

Submitted photo

Oregon seeing red in dispute with California

By ANDREW SELSKY

Associated Press

SALEM — Pinot noir is one of the finickiest grapes, but with proper nurturing it produces an amazing wine. Officials in Oregon and at a U.S. government agency are similarly finicky, and are stomping on a California winery’s claims that it makes an Oregon pinot.

Copper Cane, a Napa Valley, California, winery sells more pinot noir made from Oregon grapes than anyone else, and often at a lower price. That has some Oregon winemakers, who call the California version a less elevated product, seeing red.

Now, both the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and Oregon’s liquor agency have ruled that Copper Cane’s labels have been improperly referencing Oregon wine regions.

The case recalls France’s mostly successful efforts to have only sparkling wine produced in its Champagne region called by that name.

At stake is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and Oregon’s reputation for producing a delicate pinot noir in its cool, rainy climate, according to state Rep. David Gomberg and winemaker Jim Bernau, who have been sharply critical of Copper Cane.

See WINE, Page 7

AP file photo

Winemaker David Lett savors the bouquet from a glass of Pinot Noir at his Eyrie Vinyards home in Dundee, Ore.

Avista provides more than $260,000 on ‘Giving Tuesday’ SPOKANE, Wash. — Food banks and community service agencies serving those who need a helping hand are receiving $268,752 in support from the Avista Foundation and Avista Corp.

Kicking off the season of giving, 100 Avista employees provided more than 200 hours of volunteerism at the Spokane Arena last week as part of Tom’s Turkey Drive. This gift of time is in addition to individual employee donations to the Turkey Drive that provided 1,065 meals to families for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“At Avista, we are proud of our long history of giving back to our communities, and we’re excited about our future and a commitment to nearly double investments in our communities as a result of our partnership with Hydro One,” said Dennis Vermillion, president of Avista.

Avista makes a portion of its community investments through the Avista Foundation, a separate, non-profit organization established by Avista Corp. Funds for Avista Corp. contributions come from company profits, and are not included in customers’ rates.

Energy assistance donations: $200,000 Twenty-three community service agencies are receiving a total of $200,000 to make grants for energy assistance to qualifying Avista customers who are in need this winter and who may have exhausted all other available energy assistance resources. The organizations receiving the donations are identified by Avista’s CARES representatives (Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Service).

Regional food banks total: $41,702 For those with limited income, feeding their family can be one of the biggest challenges they face each month. Fortythree food banks in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska will receive donations, either directly or through a distributor to help support the vital safety-net services they provide.

Through their buying power and relationships with food producers, the food banks are able to leverage donations like ours to bring several times their value to help stock the shelves for those in need.

Basin Business

Wine /

From Page 6

“Part of this is prestige and marketing,” Gomberg said.

Grapes for Copper Cane’s pinot noirs are grown in three Oregon wine regions and trucked in dry ice to California. Jim Blumling, Copper Cane’s vice president of operations, acknowledged that the winery’s top-selling Elouan Pinot Noir is more pronounced than the typical Oregon version because the grapes are picked later, with higher sugar content.

“It helps deliver a more concentrated juice in the fruit,” Blumling said.

Bernau, founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards of Turner, Oregon, said Copper Cane’s labels deceptively indicate its wines came from Oregon’s officially designated wine regions, or AVAs. “Copper Cane takes something valuable that isn’t theirs and deeply discounts it,” Bernau said. “They can’t use Oregon AVAs if the wine is not made in the AVA.” In their rulings this month, the federal and state regulatory bodies agreed AP file photo there was a problem because Copper Cane’s labels refer to Oregon’s Willamette A 2003 Domaine Drouhin pinot noir is Valley, Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valdisplayed at the winery’s tasting rooms. ley wine regions. If a wine label claims or implies it’s from a particular AVA, 95 that the grapes come from prime Oregon percent of the grapes must be from there, according to the Oregon Wine Board. vineyards, Blumling said. Those labels The federal TTB told Copper Cane that have been approved by the TTB, he said. it has to ditch seven of its labels, agency Copper Cane hopes the new labels also spokesman Tom Hogue said. satisfy the Oregon liquor commission.

The Oregon Liquor Control CommisThe previous labels had been in use for sion found last week that Copper Cane has years until Gomberg and Bernau comcommitted seven violations and is seeking to revoke its ability to sell in Oregon, plained, the California winemakers said. said commission spokesman Matthew They believe it was to edge out the compeVanSickle. The violations focus on Copper tition. Last year, 120,000 cases of Elouan Cane’s improper use of AVA designations wine — over 1.4 million bottles — were and “misleading statements on labeling.” sold nationwide, Blumling said.

One major grocery store chain in Ore“We’re being blatantly attacked,” Waggon, Fred Meyer, is already taking Copper ner said. “What’s disappointing is it’s for Cane’s Elouan Pinot Noir and Willametter Journal wines off its shelves. financial gain.”

Gomberg wants the federal government In a Nov. 19 statement, Gomberg said to stop Copper Cane from selling Elouan that Elouan Pinot Noir and The Willametwine in the other 49 states. ter Journal “look and taste like they have “Copper Cane claims they were simply engaged in ‘fanciful’ marketing,” Gomberg an additive” called Mega Purple, often used in California to make wines darker said. “But the state of Oregon has deterand thicker. Blumling called that “slandermined that they crossed the line from fanciful to fraudulent.” ous” and denied any such additive has been Blumling and Copper Cane’s owner, used.

Joe Wagner, will meet with Oregon Liquor He said Elouan’s growing national Control Commission Executive Direcpopularity, with sales up 50 percent in a tor Steven Marks on Wednesday to try to year, will raise consumers’ consciousness resolve the issue, Blumling said. and boost overall demand for Oregon pinot The company has already submitted noir. “We’re expecting that all boats rise new labels to the TTB that don’t mention Oregon winemaking regions and say only with the tide,” Blumling said.

Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

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Get Your Tickets Today!

Holiday Ball Featuring

Come Dance the Night Away Sam Hyman Band from Pittsburgh, PA Great Sound from all decades of music.

Sam’s worked with the best, including Lou Rawls, 10,000 Maniacs, Wyclef Jean, Eric Burdon, Peter Paul and Mary, Lauren Hill, The Violent Femmes, and more. His music has been featured on Young and the Restless, and has toured internationally.

Friday December 7th • Doors open at 6 PM Klamath Falls Fair Grounds Community Center

$40/seat or table of eight $240

Contact us at 541-885-4410 |via Facebook @KFHolidayBall

www.heraldandnews.com/kfholidayball To benefit

Bring A NEW Unwrapped Unopened Toy And be registered to win: 2 Front Row Seats & Backstage Passes to TUSK, The World’s Greatest Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, coming to the Ross Ragland Theater this spring!

And sponsored in part by:

Skyline Brewing Company Fisher Nicholson Realty Indulgence Salon Epicenter

Nerds R Us Basin Transit Service

JMH Tools & Design

Best Western Plus

Hosted by:

Thanks in part to our media partners 104.7 The Eagle & Sunny 107

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Thursday, November 29, 2018, Herald and News

Basin Business

November 2018 Newsletter Ore gon State Senator Dennis Linthicum – District 28 I represent the citizens of Senate District 28, which includes all, or part of Þve rural, mostly-eastern Oregon counties: Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Deschutes and Crook.

Senator Dennis Linthicum OR Senate District 28

As Senator of one of the largest Senate districts in our state, it Capitol Phone: is extremely important that my constituents remain in contact Capitol Address: with me about the issues and concerns that affect their lives.

I encourage you to use the information here as a resource and to contact my ofÞce by either phone or e-mail so that I can know how to best serve you. I am honored to be here in Salem Þghting for your freedom and liberty.

This quote surfaced with regard to President TrumpÕs desire to increase logging in the West and BonnicksenÕs 2008 Þre study. The study reviewed carbon emissions and identiÞed wildÞre as one of the primary causes for a possible climate doomsday scenario.

His study found that four California wildÞres, burning in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades between 1992 and 2007, released carbon dioxide at levels 19 times greater than previously accepted scientiÞc estimates.

According to his research, each acre of burned forest emitted greenhouse gases equal to the annual exhaust from 48 cars.

Therefore, reducing the size and severity of wildÞres may be the single most important action for combatting global warming. The solution is obvious. Our public lands need more logging, thinning, and removal of surface fuels.

OregonÕs modern forest landscape, like most of the federal forest through-out the western states is composed of forest debris, dead wood, shrubs, and small trees that can approach 40 tons per acre. Current tree densities, contain dense new growth surrounding larger trees. The smaller trees combined with grasses, brush and forest debris serve as ladder fuels, and are contributors to the size and severity of todayÕs wildÞres.

503-986-1728 900 Court St. NE, S-305 Salem, Oregon 97301

E-Mail: sen.DennisLinthicum@OregonLegislature.gov W Website ebsite:

The Problem Oozes from…

"WildÞres are bad and getting worse every year because of a misguided public belief that all Þres are good and all management is bad," says Tom Bonnicksen, a retired forestry scientist.

Paid Advertisement

The Forest Carbon and Emissions Model (FCEM) can be used to provide scientists with estimates regarding forest carbon storage, sequestration, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. FECMÕs underlying parameters and carbon assessment equations come from recognized scientists within the environmental community.

A word of caution, however. The FCEM is a modeling tool. Although models can provide great estimates, as well as valuable feedback, the modelÕs parameters and input variables should always be part of the discussion. These modeling tools are playing increasingly important roles in calculating carbon sequestration in our public forests and they also provide keen insight into the management of greenhouse gas emissions.

This is particularly true with the modern hang-up about global warming.

For example, in the study which assessed four wildÞres that burned nearly 150,000 acres of forestland in the Sierra Nevadas, forest density tonnage estimates would need to be revised to properly assess forests on the Eastern-side of the Cascade Range.

Estimates on those California Þres suggested that combustion emissions could have been reduced from 46.2 tons per acre to 12 tons per acre if the density of trees had been reduced from 273 per acre to the more natural density of 60 per acre. In terms of modeling for the Eastern-side, densities as low as 30 to 40 trees per acre would be more appropriate.

http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/linthicum Given the necessary policy changes that will be required to change 40+ years of ingrained management behavior, we face some very difÞcult and hard to reconcile decisions.

First, at the federal level, does our Congress have the appetite to push back against the environmental lobby to achieve forest resiliency in our mixed Þr and pine forests on the eastern reaches of the Cascades? Second, at the state level, I will provide leadership for our Joint Senate and House Fire Caucus, within OregonÕs legislature, to exercise boldness, not timidity when advocating for comprehensive changes to forest management policy.

Unfortunately, the tragedy of our charred landscape stems from a long-held, one-sided approach for saving old-growth forests with reckless abandon.

We must have a balanced approach to proper forest stewardship. The USFS estimates there may be nearly 70 to 80 million national forest acres in Fire Condition Class 3 - we must act quickly to improve our forestÕs health or we will continue to suffer the catastrophic Þrestorms that destroy our woodlands, watersheds, animal habitat and air quality. Not to mention the the very real threats to our lives, our homes and our communities.

The problem isnÕt from global warming but rather oozes from the one-size-Þts-all approach that plagues all our federal agencies. Federal mandates do little to allow meaningful state, county, or local control of the natural resources within our boundaries.

President Trump just might be the one who can drain the bureaucratic swamp and bring common sense and stewardship back to our forests.

If we don’t stand for rural Oregon values and common-sense – no one will!