by Nick Smith, Executive Director of Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities (HFHC) was launched over five years ago to give Americans a stronger voice in the management of our federally-owned forests. A primary goal has always been to pass effective reforms in Congress that provide more opportunities for multiple-use active management, improve…
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is developing a “long-term conservation strategy” for the Marbled Murrelet that would effectively set aside tens of thousands of additional acres of state trust lands in western Washington from sustainable timber harvests. If adopted, this plan will reduce timber harvests on state trust lands, which generate revenue to support school…
The U.S. Forest Service has scheduled upcoming objection resolution meetings for the the Blue Mountains Forest Plans revisions. This is an important phase in the new forest plans that will govern future management of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. We wrote about the revised plan in the Baker City Herald: “The Forest Service…
By Steve Kariainen, HFHC Great Lakes Director The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) reports timber sales for fiscal year 2018 increased to 128.7 Million Board Feet (MMBF), marking six consecutive years of increased sales. Paul Strong, Forest Supervisor of the CNNF, notes this is the largest volume sold on the forest since the early 1990s. The…
By Nick Smith, HFHC Executive Director The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center recently reported the cost of fighting wildfires in Oregon this year has reached an all-time high of $514.6 million. But the costs are likely much higher, because this figure doesn’t include the loss of economic activity, tourism and impacts to public health from wildfire…
by Nick Smith, HFHC Executive Director A common tactic among anti-forestry activists is to claim managed forests are “carbon pollutors” and contributors to climate change. One notorious and well-publicized study claims more carbon could only be stored by drastically reducing timber harvests on private and public lands. This study was picked apart by David Atkins in…
Washington State Representative Jim Walsh understands how the listing of the Northern Spotted Owl devastated communities in his district and others in western Washington. That’s why he’s concerned about the Washington Department of Natural Resources’ Marbled Murrelet Long Term Conservation Strategy (LTCS), which could shut down timber harvesting on tens of thousands of acres of…
By Steve Kariainen, HFHC Great Lakes Director The recent editorial, “Recognizing what forest products, jobs mean to the region” did a great job of highlighting the importance of active forest management in maintaining the health of the region’s forests and rural communities. The editorial also quotes the U.S. Forest Service (USFS): “During National Forest Products…
By Steve Kariainen, HFHC Great Lakes Director Why the Lake States Bat HCP is Important: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law by President Nixon in 1973 for the purpose of protecting rare species from extinction. The ESA made it illegal to “take” species deemed threatened or endangered. “Taking” is defined as “to…
This commentary by Josephine County (Ore.) Commissioner Simon Hare originally appeared in the Eugene Register-Guard. The Taylor Creek Fire in Josephine County illustrates how obstructionist tactics by fringe groups result in real consequences for our forests, communities, and the quality of our air and water. Our federal agencies are alarmed by the poor health of…