In a welcome move, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove has announced that he is reducing the number of acres of so-called “legacy forests” that he plans to set off limits for timber harvest, from 77,000 acres to 55,000 acres. In an announcement in late September, Upthegrove cited mapping problems and financial strain as the primary motivations behind the change in policy.
WPEA members have long been concerned about the impact that such a freeze on harvests would have on the schools, hospitals, parks, and other local governments that rely on timber harvests – as well as the impact on the work of DNR employees. We welcome the change in policy, which should be a step to help preserve the agency’s financial stability.
Read more from Isabella Breda at the Seattle Times: WA public lands commissioner scales back order protecting older forests | The Seattle Times
