W.A.T.E.R. opposes amended Northwest Forest Plan
WATER has submitted a comment letter to Forest Service opposing the proposed amendment to the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) and its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). W.A.T.E.R. points out that the NWFP, originally adopted in 1994 to protect old-growth forests and wildlife, has failed to achieve its goals, as evidenced by the continued decline of old-growth forests and the Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) population. The proposed amendment is inadequate because it permits increased logging of older trees, further threatening forest ecosystems and NSO habitats.
Our main points in the letter:
Decline of Northern Spotted Owl: The NSO population is nearly extinct in Washington State and declining elsewhere due to habitat loss caused by logging.
Increased Logging: The amendment allows logging of trees up to 150 years old, undermining efforts to expand old-growth forest acreage.
Barred Owl Impact: While Barred Owls compete with NSOs, their spread is linked to habitat degradation caused by logging.
Wildfire Mismanagement: Logging is criticized for exacerbating wildfire risks and contributing to climate change through carbon emissions.
We call for withdrawing the amendment and prioritizing stronger protections for old-growth forests and wildlife habitats to address the climate crisis and preserve biodiversity.
Read W.A.T.E.R.’s full comment HERE.