Forest Service Film Fail & Tri-State Grain Convention

Friday Nov 7th, 2014 45 Views Northwest Report

Forest Service Film Fail & Tri-State Grain Convention plus Capitol Christmas Tree Tour. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

U.S. Forest Service's Chief Tom Tidwell is committing to exclude the news media from a controversial permitting scheme for filming in federal wilderness. The agency planned to require permits for journalists to film anything other than breaking news events in wilderness but that drew a nationwide backlash. Tidwell said "News coverage on (Forest Service) lands is protected by the Constitution, and it is our responsibility to safeguard this right on the lands we manage for all Americans." Tidwell's comments come as his agency plans public hearings in Portland and Seattle to answer questions.

The Tri-State Grain Growers Convention gets underway this next Wednesday at the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington. Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers says it's an important meeting for the northwest grain industry.

HENNINGS: This year is a big year for the farm bill so we are really centered around farm bill information. The change this year has been dramatic for all farmers for educational purposes. On Thursday we do out business day. Oregon, Idaho and Washington conduct business and then we come together all on Friday to have our program together.

The Agriculture Department had a special pre-Veterans Day celebration this week. Gary Crawford Reports.

(USDA Report)

Thanks Gary. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.