Oregon Board of Forestry Approves New Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan

On July 22, the Oregon Board of Forestry voted 5–2 to approve a new Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan. The long-term plan will guide timber production, conservation, recreation, and other uses of state forestlands.

The plan is aligned with the Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan submitted for federal approval, which is expected later this year or in early 2027. The new management plan will take effect once the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) receives an approved habitat conservation plan and incidental take permits.

The plan has been in development since 2018. Once effective, it will replace the 2010 Northwest and Southwest forest management plans and the 2011 Elliott State Forest plan. The Elliott plan will continue to govern Board of Forestry parcels adjacent to the Elliott State Research Forest.

Until then, state forests will continue to be managed under the current forest management, implementation, and annual operating plans. The board’s decision allows ODF to begin developing plans for fiscal year 2028 with more specific management objectives and operational details.

Commenting on the plan, Mike Wilson, chief of ODF’s State Forest Division, said:

“This plan, when implemented along with the HCP, will provide economic certainty for timber harvests, environmental protections and enhancements, and continued recreational opportunities for all who depend on, use, and care about Oregon’s state forests.

Developing a plan like this over such a long timeframe not only requires immense dedication from ODF staff, but an enormous amount of outreach and collaboration. Our county partners, tribes, other state agencies, stakeholders, and the general public have been essential in crafting a plan that would be compatible with an HCP and still provide decision space for the board and department to manage our state forestlands into the future.”