Tina Kotek

OREGON — Gov. Tina Kotek is pressing forward with a pair of nominations to the board that oversees Oregon forest policy, after abruptly backing off the plan earlier this month amid pressure from environmental groups. A Senate committee will consider on Wednesday whether to appoint conservationist Bob Van Dyk and Heath Curtiss, an attorney for a timber company, where they would fill out the terms of two departing members. But because of the last-minute change of plans by Kotek, the Senate Committee on Rules and Executive Appointments will need to agree to suspend its normal rules to consider the two men, since they were not on an initial list. …The volunteer board plays a major role in how much logging can take place in forests around the state, and both timber industry members and environmental groups… pay close attention to the balance of the board.  Kotek’s nominations would keep the current balance intact.