WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley introduced his first piece of legislation Monday - a measure to create a 15-member task force to study ways to help timber-dependent counties in Oregon.

Merkley, who took office in January, had promised during last year's campaign to address the timber issue in his first bill. He said the long-term success of Oregon's rural counties is one of his top priorities.

The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would direct the task force to determine the best way to provide rural counties with a dependable source of revenue after the current "county payments" program expires in 2011.

Last week, Congress extended the timber payment program, officially known as the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act , through 2011. The law gives a total of $3.3 billion to 700 counties in 39 states. Oregon is the biggest recipient of money from the timber program and is scheduled to receive $210 million this year.

Even so, many of Oregon's timber-reliant counties have been struggling to provide sheriff's patrols, keep jails and libraries open, fund schools and maintain roads.

"Letting county payments end after 2011 would leave gaping holes in county budgets. We can't let that happen," Merkley said. "What my bill does is bring together all of the key parties to figure out what the future should look like."

If approved by Congress, the task force would have nine months to consider a range of options, including continuation of the current program, Merkley said.

The panel also would look at other revenue sources, such as an increased timber harvest, including additional thinning to restore forest health; development of so-called biomass energy; carbon sequestration; user fees from recreation activities on federal lands; and potential land exchanges.

Merkley said he and other Oregon lawmakers would use the report to help make the case with lawmakers from other states for continued support of timber-dependent counties.

The task force differed from a panel that recently submitted a report to Gov Ted Kulongoski, because it would focus on federal efforts rather than state and local approaches to the timber issue, Merkley said.

A report released in February said that rural counties in Oregon will have to raise taxes and take other painful steps to prepare for the day when the timber program ends. Six Oregon counties, including Lane, the home of Eugene and the University of Oregon, "may be unable to meet the most elemental needs of public health and safety within a year or two after these payments terminate," the report said.

The governor's task force "did a very good job, particularly in exploring state and local (revenue) sources. That work didn't involve participation in Congress," Merkley said.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., said he generally supported the task force idea, adding that Merkley "brings some new energy to a prolonged problem and debate."

But the 12-term lawmaker offered the rookie some advice: Since he is trying to pass national legislation, the former Oregon House speaker needs to involve other states.

"On the Forest Service side, they would understand the unique contribution of the Forest Service to California and Washington and all across the country to Florida and Georgia," DeFazio said. "If we are going to pass it, it's got to take those things into account."