Oregon Business Insurance

Conservation groups hope to buy forestlands to manage

28.12.09

Conservation groups are now the biggest allies of the forest industry, institutional investors are buying millions of acres of forest land.

From Maine to Montana, they give rise to a new model of private property, called community forests, hoping to save homes and subdivisions.

They are finding creative ways to finance major purchases and pushing a surprising tactic to preserve the trees they harvest.

In Oregon and Washington, some conservation groups are looking to buy forest for the first time.But even if the housing market cool means it's the perfect time to buy is also a difficult time raising funds.

"Recession is a huge challenge," said Tom Tuchmann of U.S. Forest Capital, which helps groups to buy conservation forests of the investor-owners. "But it's also a chance. Pricing is level, but it will come up again.

Source: OregonLive.com

Oregon senators see health bill as step, not grand finale

24.12.09

Oregon senators see as a health bill to the stage, no final major by Charles Pope, The Oregonian December 24, 2009, 10:06 WASHINGTON - Sens. that Oregon Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley voted this morning to expand access to care health, their emotions run small eyes, relief to the satisfaction of hope.

No joy, just because the future of the reform of health care is far from settled and the final bill below the preferences of each senator. But both see it as an important first step toward the overhaul of the nation's broken health system.

"While this bill does not go far enough, it is an important step for millions of people who desperately need health care in our country," Merkley said Tuesday, adding he is "still mourning "that the final bill did not include a government-run insurance option.

For Wyden, the vote is a step in a journey of three years to change the way health care is financed and delivered.

Source: OregonLive.com