Oregon Forest Practices Act says "Road side buffers enhance the appearance of Oregon's roadways."

 Specific requirements are in place for designated scenic highways.
•Operators must retain a screen of trees along certain state and federal highways. The Oregon Department of Transportation may make exceptions to this rule for highway safety.
•Major debris from harvest must be removed quickly from roadways.
•Replanting of a harvest site along designated scenic highway must occur within one year of harvest, rather than the usual two years.

Leaving highly visible ugly clearcuts along heavily used routes like Hwy 126 is great PR for the folks working to reform Oregon's Forest Practices Act. It reinforces Guest Viewpoints like the one expressed in the Register Guard yesterday!