U.S. officials are proposing increased logging on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest as part of a significant overhaul of a forest management plan that has been in place for three decades. The U.S. Forest Service unveiled this proposal on Friday, aiming to combat wildfires and stimulate rural economies.
The proposed changes target the Northwest Forest Plan, which governs approximately 38,000 square miles (99,000 square kilometers) across Oregon, Washington, and California. Originally adopted in 1994 under President Bill Clinton, the plan was designed to mitigate destructive logging practices that had led to widespread clearcutting and habitat destruction for species like the spotted owl.
In light of worsening wildfire risks attributed to climate change, federal officials argue that more active forest management is necessary to enhance forest resilience. The proposal could increase annual timber harvests by at least 33%, with potential increases exceeding 200%, according to a draft environmental study. This would also aim to provide a more stable supply of timber for local industries, which have suffered due to the closure of lumber mills and the loss of forestry jobs.
Currently, timber harvest volumes from the 17 national forests included in the Northwest Forest Plan average about 445 million board feet annually. The proposed logging increase is expected to enhance community safety by reducing wildfire risks, allowing for tree cuts in areas with stands of trees aged up to 120 years, an increase from the current threshold of 80 years. This change is intended to promote the growth of larger, old-growth trees that are more fire-resistant.
In parallel, the Biden administration is considering a separate proposal aimed at bolstering protections for old-growth trees nationwide, which are crucial for carbon dioxide storage and climate change mitigation.
Jacque Buchanan, the regional forester for the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region, emphasized that the proposal reflects the evolving understanding of forest management in response to climate change, which has led to increased droughts and extreme weather events. The new plan also seeks to foster collaboration with Native American tribes, incorporating their knowledge and practices into forest management strategies—a shift from the 1994 plan that excluded tribal input.
Environmentalists have expressed skepticism regarding the proposal, with organizations like Oregon Wild voicing concerns that it undermines the original goals of the Northwest Forest Plan, which focused on protecting wildlife and old-growth forests. John Persell, an attorney for Oregon Wild, described the move as “deeply troubling,” especially given the timing ahead of a potential change in presidential administrations.
During the Trump administration, efforts were made to loosen habitat protections for the spotted owl and expand logging access in West Coast forests, actions that faced significant opposition from conservationists and biologists.
The draft environmental study outlines various alternatives, including maintaining the current plan or modifying it to either increase or decrease logging activities. Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resource Council, noted that the proposal emerged from discussions among stakeholders, including industry representatives and the Forest Service.
The release of the proposal initiates a 120-day public comment period, with the Forest Service’s environmental review expected to conclude by next fall and a final decision anticipated in early 2026.
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