Interior Department Moves to Increase Logging on Oregon Land

Oregon is bracing for the revival of a decades-long battle over logging of old-growth timber. The Interior Department recently announced their intention to double the rate of logging on 2.6 million acres of federally owned forests in southwestern Oregon, ignoring the objections of the governor and two federal agencies in charge of protecting the quality of the water in the area.

From The New York Times:

The economies of the timber industry and Oregon’s rural southwestern counties took a major hit when logging on federal lands in the area was cut back by 80 percent under the terms of the Northwest Forest Plan, which took effect about 15 years ago. Representatives of both groups applauded Wednesday’s decision, saying it would revive local mills and timber companies.

But environmental groups condemned the decision and gave notice that they would challenge the plan in federal court. The group Earthjustice called the decision a “massive giveaway at the expense of salmon spawning streams, healthy old-growth forests and habitat for rare birds such as the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet.”

Oregon Governor Kulongoski warned that such a plan would interfere with any future wilderness designations in the areas around the Rogue River. He advised that harvest increases be phased in slowly due to environmental and public concerns.

There will still be a chance for environmental review and public comment as each tract of land is prepared for sale, a process that takes some time. OPB News reports that the Obama Administration is unlikely to back the plan, giving many hope that it won’t end up becoming reality.

Two conservation groups are suing over the plan. Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics and EarthJustice both say the agency failed to consult federal biologists over the harm that logging might cause to spotted owls and other wildlife protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Link [The New York Times] + [OPB News] + [Seattle Times]
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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