New Northwest Forest Plan: Boosting Jobs And Protecting Communities

In the Pacific Northwest, where towering forests and vibrant rural communities intertwine, a new chapter in forest management is unfolding. The U.S. Forest Service has unveiled a bold proposal to update the Northwest Forest Plan, a policy that has guided the care of 38,000 square miles of forestland across Oregon, Washington, and California since 1994. But as this plan takes shape, it has sparked passionate conversations about wildfire safety, economic revival, and the delicate balance of nature.

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What’s Changing in the Forest?

The heart of the proposal lies in significantly expanding timber harvests—potentially tripling current levels. Here’s a breakdown of the key ideas:

• Logging Larger Trees: Harvesting limits would increase from trees 80 years old to those as old as 120. The Forest Service believes this will promote the growth of large, fire-resistant old-growth trees by thinning dense, younger stands.
• Reducing Wildfire Risks: By managing overcrowded forests, the plan aims to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires and safeguard nearby communities.
• Economic Revival: Logging increases are expected to breathe new life into rural economies, creating jobs in forestry and milling while stabilizing timber supplies.

The Balancing Act: Conservation vs. Economy

This proposal doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s a dramatic shift from the Northwest Forest Plan of 1994, which curtailed logging to protect ecosystems and species like the northern spotted owl. That decision, though pivotal for conservation, caused deep economic wounds in timber-dependent communities.

Now, with wildfire seasons growing longer and hotter, the Forest Service argues it’s time for a change, incorporating modern climate science and Indigenous forest management practices.

But not everyone is convinced. Environmentalists fear that the plan leans too heavily toward industry interests.

“By targeting mature and old-growth forests, the Forest Service risks unraveling decades of progress protecting critical ecosystems,” said John Persell, an attorney with Oregon Wild.

A Thorny History and a Divided Future

The debate highlights a recurring tension: how to manage forests for both people and nature. Critics of the plan point to past controversies, including efforts to weaken protections for the northern spotted owl during the Trump administration—an issue reversed under President Biden, who also champions safeguarding old-growth forests to fight climate change.

Timber industry representatives, on the other hand, see opportunity.

“This plan represents a modern approach to tackling wildfires, toxic smoke, and economic challenges in rural communities,” said Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resource Council.

What Happens Next?

For now, the Forest Service is opening the floor to public input, with a 120-day comment period underway. A final environmental review is expected by fall 2025, with a decision likely in early 2026.