Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan Released

The Habitat Conservation Plan for state forests in Western Oregon has been released for public comment. The plan is designed to protect critical habitat for 17 threatened species and includes wider no-logging zones near waterways and prohibits or limits harvesting near nesting and foraging grounds for threatened birds.

The plan will reduce harvest on state forests but will provide logging companies more clarity on areas that are available for timber harvests and reduce their risk of being sued under the Endangered Species Act. The state Forestry Departments hopes to have the planned approved by the state Board of Forestry by next spring.