The USDA Forest Service is seeking public input on a proposed amendment to the land management plans that guide policymaking decisions within the Northwest Forest Plan area, which spans Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.
Joining the Exchange to discuss the proposed amendment are two guests:
Susan Jane Brown is Co-chair of the Northwest Forest Plan Federal Advisory Committee. She is also Principal & Chief Legal Counsel at , a nonprofit environmental law firm in Oregon. Susan Jane joins by phone.
Joining the Exchange in the studio is , retired professor of biology and environmental science at Southeast Missouri State University, where he taught ecology and conservation biology and conducted research in forest ecology, conservation and restoration in Southeast Missouri and Northwest Costa Rica. More recently, Dr. Journet cofounded Southern Oregon Climate Action Now () and currently serves as its facilitator.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement for the amendment was published on Nov 15, 2024 in the Federal Register, initiating a 120-day public comment period. The comment period allows the public to share input on how these forests will be managed for decades to come.
The USDA Forest Service is amending the Northwest Forest Plan to address changed conditions with a focus on five key areas: wildfire resilience, climate change adaptation, tribal inclusion, sustainable communities, and conservation of old growth ecosystems and related biodiversity.
Jacque Buchanan, Regional Forester for the Forest Service鈥檚 Pacific Northwest Region:
鈥淢uch has changed in society and science since the Northwest Forest Plan was created nearly 30 years ago. We鈥檙e amending the plan to address today鈥檚 challenges in ways that honor the plan鈥檚 original goals, while adapting to changing conditions and enhancing wildfire resilience.鈥�
Key Themes of the Proposed Amendment
Fire Resilience
To address the increasing threat of severe wildfires, the proposed amendment provides guidance on managing forests to reflect the unique fire patterns, or fire regimes, across Northwest forests. This includes the use of hazardous fuel treatments, like mechanical thinning and prescribed fire to reduce dense vegetation to lower wildfire risk and impacts on communities, critical infrastructure, and forests, while maintaining and improving overall forest health across the landscape.
Economic Opportunities
The proposed amendment seeks to support rural economies by promoting a predictable commercial timber supply through sustainable forest restoration and timber production activities. This approach can create local jobs, provide training in forest management, and build economic resilience in communities that depend on forest resources.
Improved Forest Stewardship
The proposed amendment improves on the original Northwest Forest Plan by providing clearer, more specific guidance that distinguishes between moist and dry forest types and between young and old forests. It also provides direction to use ecological forestry practices that promote landscapes to be more resilient to fire, retain old growth conditions to support at-risk species, and restore non-forest habitats such as meadows and huckleberry patches where they naturally belong. These efforts would bolster the commercial timber supply in addition to fostering restoration to support species, natural resources, and community safety.
Adaptation to a Changing Climate
The proposed amendment draws on the latest science to help forests and communities adapt to the effects of a changing climate, such as the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including droughts and wildfire. The draft EIS recommends creating connected habitats to support species migration and refugia for vulnerable species, as well as promoting species better adapted to dry conditions in post-fire landscapes. This would help support resilience across the landscape and protect both natural resources and infrastructure.
Tribal Responsibilities
The proposed amendment emphasizes the Forest Service鈥檚 commitment to honoring its trust responsibilities to tribal governments and communities by involving them in land management planning and implementing forest management practices. This approach integrates tribal knowledge, values and perspectives into land stewardship.
Jennifer Eberlien, Regional Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region:
鈥淲e want to work together to steward our public lands for social, economic and ecological sustainability. Input from tribes, the public and the Federal Advisory Committee has been invaluable in reaching this stage, and now we need to hear from as many voices as possible during the comment period.鈥�
The public is encouraged to submit comments on the draft plan during the 120-day comment period.
The Northwest Forest Plan covers 24.5 million acres of federally managed lands in California, Oregon, and Washington. It was established in 1994 to address threats to threatened and endangered species while also contributing to social and economic sustainability in the region. After nearly 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan needs to be updated to accommodate changed ecological and social conditions.
LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE
