To my surprise, the Oregon republican senator Gordon Smith backs a democratic wilderness plan to protect nearly 14,000 acres of national forest land along Oregon's southern coast.
The wilderness plan drafted by democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter DeFazio, would protect 13,700 acres of coastal forests and salmon streams. The plan will prevent development of logging, mining and road building in these areas. However, people will still be able to fish and hunt in the area.
The proposed land sits near the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and is considered one of the best habitats on the West Coast for chinook salmon, winter steelhead, coho salmon, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Could Senator Gordon Smith be endorsing these wilderness plans as part of a strategic plan to keep his seat in the senate? There are plenty of other candidates including an independent runner that are eager to take his seat come election time. While the backing of this wilderness plan is a nice gesture, I personally don't think it will win the hearts of borderline voters. 
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Gordon Smith backs Wilderness Plan
at 11:48 AM
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2 comments:
He can give with one hand, and take away with the other. Remember, Smith makes a number of token and highly visible "green" votes a year or two before his re-election. The rest of the time, of course, he boasts a 14% environmental score from League of Conservation Voters.
Thanks for the comment.
Yeah I really hope he gets voted out this time. I guess we'll see.
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