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77 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, June 2, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 28, 2004 Status of county natural resources board debated By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Members of a Jackson County natural resources committee wonder whether they have outlived their usefulness. "If we’re not going to be utilized, we might as well be disbanded," said Ed Kupillas, chairman of the Natural Resources Advisory Committee, to the Jackson County commissioners Tuesday. "The members have perceived a lack of interest in the committee." Kupillas and other members of the committee said they have noticed interest waning for almost two years, prompting a meeting with commissioners about their concerns. J.D. Rogers said, "If we’re going to put time into this, we should get some response back." Formed in 1995, the 19-member committee advises the commissioners on natural resource issues such as the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and timber salvaging. Advertisement The committee recently formed a subcommittee to analyze the merits of various timber salvage plans under consideration by the Bureau of Land Management for the Timbered Rock fire. The subcommittee ran out of time to conduct public hearings on its recommendation and forwarded it to Commissioner Sue Kupillas. Sue Kupillas, in turn, wrote a letter to the BLM based on the subcommittee’s recommendation, saying a "majority" of commissioners supported one of the alternative salvage plans. But the environmental group Headwaters cried foul, saying the letter expressed a majority opinion by the commissioners without receiving the proper public input. Lynn Reynolds, board president of Headwaters, said the credibility of the committee is questionable since it took an "extreme evaluation" of the Timbered Rock salvage operation. "It makes me wonder what this committee is doing," she said. "I hope it isn’t just a rubber stamp." Commissioners expressed mixed views over the need for the committee. Commissioner Dave Gilmour said that if Sue Kupillas loses her bid for re-election, there might be less reason to have the committee since she is one of its strongest supporters. Commissioner Jack Walker said the current board doesn’t seem to want to promote the use of natural resources. "If the interest of this board does not favor natural resources, you would not be needed," he said. But Sue Kupillas said natural resources aren’t a choice between preservation or multiple use. "I think we have a lot of reasons to keep you going," she told the committee members. "My sense is we want to continue with the committee." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times