Randal O'Toole

Economist, the Thoreau Institute

Growth Management * Transportation & light rail * Environment

Randal O'Toole is an economist and has been director of the Oregon-based Thoreau Institute since 1975. He has also been an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute since 1995.

• Mr. O'Toole has published dozens of studies and monographs on planning, environmental policy, and natural resource management issues as well as a book, Reforming the Forest Service (Island Press, 1988).
• His recent research and policy interests have centered on regional planning and growth management in Portland, Oregon and, more generally, on the New Urbanism. Among his more recent publications is The Vanishing Automobile and Other Urban Myths (Thoreau Institute, 1996) a critical appraisal of growth management and regional planning in Portland.
• Randal has analyzed more than 70 national forest plans since 1983, including plans in every region of the country. His clients have included the New Mexico Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, four other state agencies and more than 75 environmental groups.
• In 1978, Randal received the Richard L. Neuberger Award from the Oregon Environmental Council for outstanding service to Oregon. In 1981, the Oregon Natural Resources Council awarded him the David Simons Award for vision.
• Randal received a B.S. in Forest Management and a B.S. in Geology from Oregon State University in 1974 and pursued graduate work in economics at the University of Oregon from 1977 to 1980.