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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2008)
14 vernonia’s voice community august 2008 A Day in the Woods (continued) This past year Vernonia became famous (for more than winter flooding) when the History Channel fea- tured local Vernonia log- gers from Mike Pihl Log- ging on their series Ax Men. The show is a look at the dangerous job of logging and the brave men who work at it everyday. To be honest, I have only watched a little of the show, and I found it some- what contrived and a little exaggerated. I am sure this was not the fault of the log- gers involved but of televi- sion producers looking for ratings. And it’s worked, as people throughout the country find it fascinating (including my mother back in Pennsylvania), making the show a big hit. As I have grown older and hopefully a little bit wiser, I have learned that there are usually two sides to every story, and the ac- tual truth lies somewhere in the middle. I’m sure log- ging is like that, too. I don’t like when I see clearcuts along the highway or near streams and rivers. I am concerned about the numbers of salmon that return to local waters each year and the impact that logging can have on riparian environments. But I am also happy that I can get materials to replace a deck and paper on which to print invoices for my advertising customers. And everyone’s favorite - that my bathroom is always well stocked with toilet paper. I decided it was time to take my neighbor up on his offer to try to learn more about the logging industry, to see what it’s like out in the woods with a real working outfit. And go with an open mind. Bruce McNair works for Paulson Logging. The owner, Greg Paulson, is a real good guy accord- ing to Bruce. An owner who cares about the guys on his crew, treats them fairly and honestly, is a good businessman, and is a straight shooter. Paulson’s outfit is work- ing on state lands under the direction of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in the Tillamook Forest. Bruce explained to me that logging practices on state lands differed somewhat from what happens on private industry lands. He explained the areas where Paulson is logging are public lands, owned by all Oregon citizens. ODF has a responsibility to manage the lands for multiple usage, taking into consideration users who hike, camp or ride ATV’s, while also managing it for wildlife habitat, fire suppression, fish and stream protection, historic value, and, of course, logging. This well-rounded approach to land man- agement is due to the creation of the Oregon Forest Practices Act (FPA), by the Oregon State Legislature in 1971. The Act encourages economically efficient forest management and calls for the continuous growing and harvesting of trees. It also helps preserve scenic resources. This vision and stra- tegic plan have led to public for- ests that benefit many sectors of the population. More important- ly, Oregon creat- ed the Northwest Oregon State Forests Manage- ment Plan (NW FMP), developed after a five-year study, that takes a big-picture, comprehensive approach and guides activities in the state-owned northwest for- ests. It takes into account the varied resources of the forest, going beyond the past plan. Greg Paulson explained the business side of log- ging. ODF puts areas up for bid to be logged. Local mills purchase the rights to log those areas. The mill hires a logging company to cut the trees and extract them, getting them to the mill where they are turned into products to be sold to you and me. That’s the short ver- sion. It is obviously more com- plicated than that. 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