About three-quarters of federal O&C forests in western Oregon
are protected from regular logging. But Bureau of Land
Management indicated it could return those acres to 1960s
harvest levels, more than 10 times current harvest levels. (The
Astorian file photo) (Courtesy the Bureau of Land Management)
Federal officials are attempting to open up millions of acres of
forests in western Oregon for “maximum” timber production to
“advance Trump administration priorities,” including areas that
are home to federally protected, vulnerable species, the Bureau
of Land Management announced.
The agency on Thursday shared in a notice of intent that
officials will propose new updates to the Western Oregon
Resource Management Plans that have governed logging and
conservation on 2.5 million acres of forests in 17 Oregon
counties for decades, and that were last updated in 2016. The
notice kicks off a month-long public comment period that will
wrap on March 23. The agency does not expect to hold any public
meetings in advance of releasing its proposal, the notice said.
The revisions impact public land in Benton, Clackamas, Columbia,
Coos, Curry, Douglas, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Jackson,
Josephine, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and
Yamhill counties.
About three-quarters of the 2.5 million federal acres, known as
O&C lands for having once belonged to the Oregon and California
Railroad, are protected from regular logging. But in its notice
of intent, the land management bureau indicated it could return
those acres to 1960s harvest levels, more than 10 times current
harvest levels.
“Bringing timber production back to historic levels is essential
for reviving local economies and reducing the threat of
catastrophic wildfires,” said acting director of the land
management bureau, Bill Groffy, in a statement. “President Trump
has made it clear — enhanced domestic timber production is vital
for our national security, economic prosperity, and effective
wildfire management.”
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Source:
dailyastorian.com
