By MITCH LIES

Capital Press

SALEM -- The Senate Rules Committee has given its stamp of approval to three new state Board of Forestry appointments, despite objections from five natural resource groups to one of the appointees.

In a letter to committee chair Sen. Diane Rosenbaum, D-Portland, the natural resource organizations said they "are adamantly opposed to the nomination of Cindy Williams" to the Board of Forestry.

Williams is a private consultant fisheries biologist from Medford, who has worked for environmental groups in the past.

"It is our opinion that Cindy Williams has not demonstrated good decision-making ability on forestry issues and that she would not make a meaningful contribution on the Board of Forestry," the organizations wrote.

The letter was signed by representatives of the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattlemen's Association, Oregonians for Food and Shelter, Oregon Small Woodland Association and the Association of Oregon Loggers.

Gov. John Kitzhaber appointed Williams; Tom Insko, inland region manager for Boise Cascade; and Nils Christoffersen, executive director of Wallowa Resources, a nonprofit that works to restore forest health and create job opportunities.

The three need Senate confirmation.

If confirmed, they will replace Peter Hayes, Calvin Mukumoto and Jennifer Phillippi on the seven-member board.

Phillippi served two terms. Hayes and Mukumoto completed their first term on Sept. 30, 2011.

Hayes was available for reappointment to a second term, according to reports, but Kitzhaber chose to go a different direction, according to Richard Whitman, Kitzhaber's natural resources policy advisor.

"There was some significant opposition to Peter," Whitman said. "We tried to bring a slate of nominees that would draw a broader consensus of support and we feel this slate does that."

Whitman said the three new board members bring a strong eastside perspective to the board, as well as a scientific perspective.

In an interview outside the hearing room, Williams acknowledged she has worked for conservation groups. But, she said, she also has consulted for irrigation districts.

"I've done work under contract on all sides of the issues," she said.

"I feel like I have developed the ability to hear everybody's concerns," she told the committee.

Asked by Sen. Lee Beyer, D-Springfield, her philosophy about timber production, she said: "It is one of many uses we can get from a healthy forest, and it certainly is a legitimate purpose of forestland."

The committee Feb. 10 sent her appointment to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, dissenting.

Insko and Christoffersen received unanimous support from the five-member committee.