Programs
Tillamook Faces Increased ClearcuttingNews & Program Updates
The Oregon Board of Forestry votes for more logging in Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests
September 9, 2009-- The Oregon Board of Forrestry voted to uphold its June 3 ruling to increase the areas open to clear cutting from 50% of the forest to 70% of the forest. Protections for salmon and steelhead were rolled back as the Board refused to conduct a peer-reviewed scientific analysis before making the decision, and the Board also rejected calls to consider climate change and carbon sequestration in their decision making. However, the meeting saw a partial victory for our efforts, as the Board approved some long-term salmon protections, but the planned harvest increases will nonetheless cause serious ecological damage.
The Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests that are affected by this decision are the largest publically-owned coastal rainforest south of the Olympics and home to some of the healthiest remaining runs of wild salmonids in the lower 48 states. These forests and the health of their watersheds face an uncertain future because of the weakened environmental protections.
In tandem with our partners and allies, Wild Salmon Center is playing a leadership role in promoting long-term and ecologically sustainable management of Oregon's state forests. Last fall, WSC made the case for keeping Wild Salmon Anchor Habitat areas in northwest Oregon's state forests using data gathered in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Forestry and Department of Fish and Wildlife. In the months leading up to the June 3 meeting, WSC coordinated ten different conservation organizations in support of conservation on these critical salmon streams. WSC has joined a a coalition of twelve NGOs to petition the ruling and continues to work towards a sustainable solution that will not put more watersheds in a "high risk" category for environmental damage. In the coming months we will continue our work with partners to bring science to bear for conservation policy on these outstanding public lands.
With your continued support we can reach our shared goal of having a sustainable economic and ecological management plan for the Tillamook. For more information go to thetillamook.net.