Column was wrong about monument

Gary Lewis’ Bulletin column on Jan. 1 addressed the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and contains inaccuracies. In this letter, we cite an op-ed that addresses these by former Medford BLM manager, Howard Hunter, who led the team that wrote the monument management plan, the Soda Mountain Wilderness plan, and who advises BLM on monument access /road issues. The inaccuracies:

1. Monument limits road access: Hunter wrote on July 30 for the Medford Mail Tribune addressing access issues and responded to numerous erroneous claims regarding the access impacts in the monument. Per Hunter, “Within the original monument boundary there are 412 miles of road. This averages out to roughly 4 miles of road for every square mile section of the monument. Road density is similar in the monument’s recent expansion area.” Mr. Hunter noted that, since the monument’s establishment, only one short and badly eroded jeep trail, outside the congressionally designated wilderness, has closed. The BLM has closed and decommissioned roads in the Soda Mountain Wilderness, but road closures outside of the wilderness have been extremely limited. When questioned, he stated that no roads in the “expansion area” have been closed, and none will be until the BLM completes the transportation management plan for both the original monument and the expansion area.

2. Rolling back the monument to its original acreage will move management to Oregon. Management is, has been, and will be from the Medford BLM District Office.

Two final notes, according to Joel Brumm, current monument manager: Most of the lands traded for inclusion are poor timber lands — very steep, rugged, poor quality timber — but crucial for several high-elevation species. Hunting and fishing are not restricted in the monument.

Susan Roudebush and Kent Pressman

Ashland

Fund OSU-Cascades

As a businessman, I know that there are times when it is prudent to spend money. This is particularly true when the future is at stake. Today, the future of Central Oregon depends on education.

Oregon State University — Cascades in Bend serves the fastest-growing region in the state. The continued ability of OSU-Cascades to supply the educated workforce necessary to sustain economic growth depends on state bonding to fund OSU-Cascades’ expansion.

OSU-Cascades in Bend plans to erect a second academic building on its campus. This 55,000-square-foot building will house expanding engineering, digital arts, media and technology offerings as well as a new undergraduate degree in outdoor products.

ECONorthwest, the oldest and most comprehensive economic consulting firm in the Pacific Northwest, has determined that with addition of this second building, OSU-Cascades will by 2025 contribute $134.4 million annually in gross annual economic activity to the state, and will create over 2,000 jobs.

But this increase depends on investment now. The Oregon Legislature must authorize state bonding to fund this second academic building at OSU-Cascades.

Concerned Oregonians should urge their representatives to enact this vital legislation without delay.

Thomas Stewart

Eugene and Sunriver

Editor’s note: The following letter previously appeared with the incorrect author’s name.

Not satisfied with Walden

I am writing in response to Sam Lytle’s Guest Column of Feb. 19 in The Bulletin. I, too, have had a similar experience when contacting Greg Walden. I have most often used email to express my opinions to our representative. In response I have gotten one specific email back from Mr. Walden on his views on the ongoing Russia investigation. Other than that I have never received any response that specifically addressed my concerns.

When calling I have gotten the generic voice mail or when actually talking to a staffer getting the non-answer that Mr. Lytle detailed.

On the other hand, when contacting my two senators, they have replied with return emails expressing their views on the subject that I was concerned about.

I don’t often agree with Rep. Walden, but he is one of my voices in D.C., and I expect more from him on his opinions other than his newsletter, which tends to be a calender of his activities with no opinions on the pressing issues of the day. The newsletter is fine as far as it goes, but I expect to hear his opinions when he is contacted by one of his constituents with our concerns and opinions.

Bruce Clemens

Bend