Oregon State University College of Forestry’s “strategic realignment” proposes taking the ax to the Department of Forest Resources and its comprehensive forest and nature-based-recreation policies. Such policies do not maximize timber industry profits – long the unofficial operating principle of the college.
Last year Dean Hal Salwasser was strongly reprimanded for his unprofessional attempt to pressure “Science” magazine to delay publication of graduate student Dan Donato’s research. This research indicated that logging after the 2002 Biscuit Fire had increased future-fire risk and hindered forest recovery. Even though Salwasser publicly admitted that regeneration of seedlings is not better after logging, he had previously in the name of the college improperly endorsed a federal bill to speed up salvage logging after wildfires (and arsons) in national forests. The Bureau of Land Management also attempted to intimidate Donato by threatening to suspend funding for his study’s final year.
The College of Forestry is funded in part from a state timber-harvest tax. This direct incentive for more clearcutting, this unseemly alliance between industry and academia, this corruption of public service by corporate influence has allowed short-sighted, deep-pocket timber barons to dominate Oregon politics and make a mockery of the academic freedom of those who do not agree with the college’s industry-friendly orientation.
Now President Bush and the BLM plan to further decimate the old growth ecosystem by dramatically increasing logging on 2.2 million acres in Oregon. Please let them and the OSU Department of Forestry know that their plans are unacceptable.
Jerome Garger
Former instructor, peace and conflict studies
Lane Community College