To the Editor:

Nicky Sprauve’s May 25 criticism of Blue Mountains Forest Partners invites response.

Blue Mountains Forest Partners is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit corporation. It was formed to help create healthy forests and strong communities in Grant County. State law requires BMFP to have a board. BMFP Full Group members elect the board members, who provide direction to the executive director, leadership on strategic priorities, communication to the full group of members and collaboration with committee chairs.

BMFP’s “Full Group” consists of all voting members in the collaborative. Voting member responsibilities include participation in meetings and committees, election of board members, overall collaborative decision-making and defining strategic priorities. Full Group meetings, complemented by science workshops, field trips and other events — all of which encourage public participation — is where the real work of BMFP gets done.

This work, which involves community partners like Harney County Restoration Collaborative, the Malheur National Forest and other community members, has resulted in significant increases in federal investment in the Malheur. This investment has resulted in a three-fold increase in timber harvest for area mills, more forest related jobs with higher wages, lower unemployment and other socio-economic benefits for Grant and Harney counties.

What Nicky calls “secret meetings” are legally required board meetings where board responsibilities are exercised. When Nicky claims BMFP has “sham meetings” that exclude the public, he’s misinformed: BMFP encourages serious, informed diverse public engagement in and outside our Full Group meetings. Indeed, such engagement is one hallmark of our success. Finally, the facts (noted above) contradict his claim that BMFP ignores the “interests of the good people of Grant County.” BMFP is serious about making good things happen on public lands in Grant County. And successful.

Mark Webb

Executive Director

Blue Mountains Forest Partners