US Forest Service to Revise Northwest Forest Plan

The US Forest Service is restarting efforts to update the Northwest Forest Plan, which governs logging and conservation practices across 25 million acres of federal forests in Oregon, Washington, and northwest California, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reported (10-20-25).

The agency first released proposed changes in a draft environmental impact statement in November 2024 and received more than 3,400 public comments. Now, under the Trump administration, the Forest Service plans to issue a new draft amendment next fall, followed by a 90-day public comment period.

An agency spokesperson told OPB the forthcoming draft will “consider additional or refined definitions of forest types to reflect ecological diversity, clarify commercial timber opportunities, analyze potential refinements to Survey and Manage, and make other updates based on the comments we’ve received.”

“Survey and Manage” is a set of standards in the current Northwest Forest Plan requiring land managers to survey forest areas ahead of projects such as logging or prescribed fires for rare or vulnerable species. The process is time-consuming and often delays logging and prescribed fire projects.

Environmental groups have voiced concern that revisions could expand logging in mature and old-growth forests, further threatening vulnerable species such as the spotted owl. Timber industry organizations, meanwhile, have welcomed the restart.

“The Northwest Forest Plan is failing our communities and our environment,” said Matt Hill, executive director of the Douglas Timber Operators. “It’s time for a bold revision that prioritizes dynamic forest management and sustainable timber production.”