Kim Petty, kim.petty@sierraclub.org
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, the United States Forest Service released a Notice of Intent to amend the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP). The NWFP covers roughly 20 million acres of mature and old-growth forests in Washington, Oregon and California.
The NWFP was created in 1994 as the first landscape-level, science-based plan guiding stewardship of a critically important regional ecosystem. Thirty years on from the creation of the plan, the benefits of conserving mature and old-growth are clear: intact habitat for imperiled species, vast stores of carbon, preserved recreation and tourism value, reliable clean drinking water stores and more.
The key framework elements of the NWFP — including strong protections for mature and old-growth forests, as well as watersheds — have proven highly effective over the last 30 years. Importantly, the U.S. Forest Service intends to preserve the elements of the plan that are working well as they consider a targeted amendment to incorporate issues that were underrepresented in the creation of the initial plan - such as tribal inclusion, uncharacteristic wildfires, and a changing climate.
The Notice of Intent launches a 45-day comment period, actively soliciting input from the public about how northwest forests should be stewarded.
In response, Sierra Club’s Forest Campaign Manager Alex Craven, released the following statement:
“The Northwest Forest Plan was the first — and remains the only — landscape level, ecosystem-based management plan on our federal forests. Nearly 30 years after the plan’s creation it has conserved clean drinking water for communities, safeguarded species that were rapidly losing habitat due to overcutting of these forests, and preserved our last groves of ancient forests in the region, which are indispensable for taking on the climate crisis.
“Those foundational principles must guide any amendment process, and ensure that land managers are able to focus on the key areas for updates, like climate change, carbon storage, and Indigenous consultation and inclusion. Moreover, incorporating a science-based approach to wildfire, and recognition of the value of forested ecosystems as a tool to combat climate change are important additions. We look forward to engaging with this process.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.