October 14, 2024
State Land Board
775 Summer Street, NE
Salem, OR 97301
Re: Agenda Item #3 – ESRF proposed Forest Management Plan
Dear Land Board members:
I am writing to comment on Appendix B, Policy (9) of the draft FMP, which states:
“Maintain a financially self-sufficient forest entity and structure capable of operating and overseeing the forest and necessary infrastructure.”
Historically, the phrase “financially self-sufficient” meant that operations of the ESF would be paid for out of timber harvest revenues. Since 2013, that has been impossible due to litigation.
In more recent times, proponents of the ESRF concept have speculated that annual operations could be paid for from the sale of carbon credits, although the carbon offset industry has been wracked by scandal and there is no evidence that cash flow from intangible assets could sustain a forest research station on a consistent basis.
Since the SLB is pledging to the Legislature that the ESRF will not require regular bailouts, inquiring minds want to know: how do you intend for the ESRF to be financially self-sufficient?
I look forward to your discussion of this tomorrow.
Sincerely,
John A. Charles, Jr.
President & CEO
