Item 3: Ratification of IGR Committee Actions

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of the need to respond to an e-mail poll regarding a grant if they had not yet responded. 6. Process for Supplemental Session Ms. Taylor determined that the committee had addressed this item in its earlier discussion. Ms. Wilson said she would keep the committee informed of legislative activities via e-mail. Responding to a question from Mayor Piercy, Ms. Wilson said she was working on the transportation committee developing legislative concepts for the 2009 Legislative session. Mayor Piercy said because of the shortage of gas tax dollars coming in to the State, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) was suffering budgetary shortfalls and was working on proposals to cut back projects currently in the pipeline. The governor was emphasizing a look at transportation through the lens of climate change and sustainability and she wanted to ensure that Eugene played a role in that as it represented a big shift in how the agency did business. Ms. Wilson concurred. She had been stressing a tool box of solutions rather than a single solution so each community could address its own needs. 7. WOPR Items Ms. Taylor noted that the council would not be able to meet as a council prior to the opportunity to submit comment on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its Western Oregon Resource Plan. Mayor Piercy concurred, but said that people who contacted her felt a resolution from the council would be very helpful even if not submitted in time by the BLM’s deadline for public comment. Ms. Wilson confirmed that comment must be submitted to the BLM by January 11 in order for the BLM to legally consider the comment. In regard to a resolution, Ms. Wilson said that Mr. Pryor had asked that the BLM be present to answer questions during any council discussion on the topic, and Ms. Taylor had asked that those with opposing interests also be allowed to be present. She noted that resolutions that went to the council must be prepared by the City Attorney’s Office, and requested direction on how to proceed. Mr. Poling noted that Mr. Pryor’s opposition was based on the fact the federal government was sidestepping its obligations to the timber counties, which he agreed with. He was unsure of the options and suggested the plan be opposed on that basis. Mayor Piercy opposed the EIS because of the option related to the harvesting of old growth, pointing out there were other ways to provide lumber, such as through tree farms. The agency was proposing a large increase in the harvest of old growth, which she opposed. She also agreed with Mr. Poling’s remarks. She did not think the BLM was taking the right direction for Oregon and Eugene should take a stand. Ms. Wilson suggested that the council resolution would not be in opposition to the EIS as one of the options in the EIS was for no change in current practices. In addition, an option was also proposed that would replace the Secure Rural Schools funding. Ms. Taylor suggested a resolution proposing no increase in harvest for reasons of climate change, air quality, carbon retention, etc. MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations January 3, 2008 Page 3