Joel Connelly, Seattle P.I. [here]
The Wild Sky Wilderness Area was supposed to be a slam dunk in the new Democratic-controlled Congress: But a conservative Oklahoma senator has succeeded in blocking its enactment at least until early next year.
The proposed 106,000-acre wilderness area, in the Cascades of eastern Snohomish County, sailed through the U.S. House of Representatives on a voice vote earlier this year. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported it for action on the Senate floor.
At that point, however, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., put a “hold” on Wild Sky, along with a bevy of other proposals. … [more]
Oklahoma senator blocks Wyden, Smith wilderness bill again
Posted by Charles Pope, The Oregonian February 28, 2008 [here]
WASHINGTON - In a move that amounted to a desperate long shot, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith tried Thursday night to slide through the Senate a popular but tortured bill that would expand wilderness areas surrounding Mount Hood.
It didn’t work.
Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican from Oklahoma who has been Wyden and Smith’s relentless opponent for eight months, objected to their request that the wilderness proposal be approved unanimously.
With that roadblock firmly in place, Wyden and Smith backed down. They did not offer the bill for a vote that would have been doomed.
The 15-minute exercise did nothing to minimize the frustration.
“I don’t expect the citizens of Oregon to understand the arcane rules of the Senate,” Smith said. “This is nothing extreme. This is something that is unique to Oregon.” … [more]
March 3, 2008 | Topic: Latest Forest News
