29 September 2024 Policymaking & Advocacy Supreme Court Cancels ‘Chevron Deference.’ A win for business, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 40-year-old legal precedent, called ‘Chevron Deference,’ ruling that federal judges no longer must defer to federal agencies whose rulemaking overreaches and violates the law. ‘Tech Hubs’ Politically-Chosen. Two worthy Oregon consortia were excluded from the dozen chosen Biden Administration recipients of $504 million in federal ‘Tech Hub’ funds. The apparent political patronage instead goes to other states with contested U.S. Senate seats sought by Democrats. Federal Forest Bill Advances. On June 26, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources passed the bipartisan ‘Fix Our Forests Act,’ HR. 8790. Committee Chair Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) said, “America’s forests are in desperate need of more management…” t Smokey Bear Strong. Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday and forest wildfire prevention message holds-up well for his age. Smokey became the national prevention spokes-bear during World War II, and popularized in 1950’s. “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Air Tanker Fatality. Experienced pilot, James Maxwell, on July 25 crashed and died when flying a BLM-contracted aircraft, while firefighting the Falls Fire in eastern Oregon’s Grant County. The single-engine air tanker delivers 800 gallons of fire retardant. Greatest Risk to Old Growth. A June 2024 report by the U.S. Forest Service says wildfire is now the main threat to mature and old national forests. The report reinforces how the agency should now refocus on more managed harvesting. In Case You Missed It One Good Thing! Oregon Forest Industries Council expands its For the Trees campaign, to a forestry virtual reality exhibition, located at the Seaside beach finish line of the nation’s largest running relay, the Hood to Coast Relay on August 24. Oregon Top 5 Highest Gas Price. The current AAA ranking of U.S. gas prices shows that the liberal high-tax, high-regulation states pay the highest pump prices in America. Oregon’s $3.85/gallon average (8/20/24) is the nation’s 5th most expensive ($3.40 U.S. ave). U.S. Wildfire Fighting at Top Level. National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) reports 59 large U.S. wildland fire incidents were burning on 2.25 million acres, deploying 22,000 firefighters for over five weeks (8/20/24). Oregon has 15 large fires burning 612,000 acres. Fire Weather Forecast. For August to October, NICC forecasts near normal precipitation and temperatures for Oregon forests, although above normal significant fire potential is predicted for eastern and southwestern Oregon (8/1/24). Normal fire potential for NW OR. ICYMI shorts
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