68th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--1995 Regular Session


                            Enrolled

                 House Concurrent Resolution 14

Sponsored by Representatives TARNO, WELSH, MARKHAM, FISHER,
  CLARNO, VANLEEUWEN, REPINE, JOHNSTON, Senators JOHNSON, WALDEN,
  ADAMS; Representatives ADAMS, BAUM, BEYER, CARTER, CORCORAN,
  FAHEY, FEDERICI, HAYDEN, JOHNSON, JONES, JOSI, LEHMAN, LEWIS,
  LUNDQUIST, NORRIS, PARKS, ROBERTS, ROSS, SCHOON, SNODGRASS,
  STARR, TIERNAN, WATT, Senators BRADBURY, DERFLER, DWYER,
  KINTIGH, LEONARD, LIM, PHILLIPS, SHANNON, STULL, TIMMS, YIH (at
  the request of Association of O & C Counties; American
  Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees, Council 75;
  Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers; International
  Woodworkers of America; Oregon AFL-CIO; Oregon Lands Coalition;
  Oregon State Home Builders Association; United Paper Workers
  International)


To the President of the United States and to the Senate and House
  of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress
  assembled:
  We, the Sixty-eighth Legislative Assembly of the State of
Oregon, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent
and request action as follows:
  Whereas the Oregon and California Railroad Grant Lands ('O & C
Lands') were originally conveyed into private ownership by the
Act of July 25, 1866 (as amended by the Acts of June 25, 1868,
and April 10, 1869), and the Act of May 4, 1870, to aid, in
conjunction with construction of a railway, in the economic
development of the State of Oregon and its communities; and
  Whereas the railway was built but the intent of the original
grants to facilitate community development was not carried out
and on February 14, 1907, the State of Oregon petitioned the
Congress of the United States by legislative memorial to take
steps necessary to compel action in furtherance of the original
intent of the land grants; and
  Whereas the O & C Lands were revested to the United States by
the Act of June 9, 1916, for the purpose of management and
redisposition to achieve the original goal of economic
development of local communities, particularly in the 18 Oregon
counties within which the O & C Lands are situated ('O & C
Counties'); and
  Whereas the United States ceased reconveying the grant lands
back into private ownership and, instead, Congress placed them by
the Act of August 28, 1937, into management for the sustained
yield of timber with minimum harvest levels to provide for
long-term community stability in the O & C Counties, conservation
of watersheds and provision of recreational opportunities; and
  Whereas the State of Oregon by legislative memorial on April
27, 1951, petitioned Congress to transfer title to the lands to
the State of Oregon to help achieve the efficient management of
the lands for the benefit of the people of the State of Oregon;
and
  Whereas approximately $1 billion in revenues that would, under
the law, have gone to the O & C Counties since 1952 were instead
retained by the Federal Government with the understanding that
the revenue would be used to improve the sustained yield capacity
of the O & C Lands and would increase the annual harvests and
revenues from the O & C Lands; and



  Whereas the Federal Government is not now complying with its
obligations under the Act of August 28, 1937, and has reduced the
annual harvest below required minimum levels, thereby endangering
the economic stability of the O & C Counties, their
timber-dependent communities and the families dependent on timber
jobs; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:

  That the Congress of the United States be and hereby is urged
to pass such legislation as will result in the transfer of title
to the O & C Lands to the State of Oregon, subject to such terms
and conditions as are necessary to assure management in
perpetuity for the sustained yield of timber to stabilize and
support the O & C Counties, conserve watersheds and provide
recreational opportunities to all citizens, as set forth in the
Act of August 28, 1937, and to provide sound wildlife management
and protect cultural resources; and be it further
  Resolved, That copies of this resolution shall be sent to the
President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President of the Senate of the United States and to each member
of the Oregon Congressional Delegation.
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                                 Adopted by House March 10, 1995

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                                      Chief Clerk of House

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                                        Speaker of House


                                Adopted by Senate March 30, 1995

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                                       President of Senate






















Enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 14                    Page 2