Posted on by olyclimate

Contact the Clallam Commissioners and DNR to ask for a pause on upcoming timber auctions of older forests

Forest with Timber sale sign on tree

At the May 16 Clallam County Commissioners meeting, 22 people called for a pause on DNR timber sales on older forests (such as “TCB23” and “Power Plant” in the Elwha watershed), until newly-enacted tools for older forest protection are implemented and understood. Despite this massive input, Commissioners French and Johnson decided they do not support a pause at this time; full meeting recording here.

We need to let them know we are disappointed by this decision and urge them to reconsider before the next sales are up for approval by the State Board of Natural Resources on June 6.

  • Reach out to the commissioners via email, in person, or on Zoom at the next commissioner meeting on May 30. Info HERE. 
  • Write a letter to the editor in the Peninsula Daily News–link HERE. 
  • Sign up for public comment at the June 6 Board of Natural Resources Meeting–link HERE.  

Sample comment to commissioners:

Hello commissioners, my name is ____ and I live in _____.

I was disappointed to hear that you do not support asking for a pause on upcoming timber sales on older DNR forests. Following the DNR’s timeline, these sales will be harvested this summer and miss being considered for conservation through newly available state funding.

At your May 15 work session, you had DNR staff and an American Forest Resources Council representative present on the ecological aspects of these timber sales. This was not fair representation, because only those with a financial interest in harvesting these lands were allowed to present. Please invite qualified, independent experts to speak about the value of these forests and respond to the presentations you have already heard. 

Asking for a pause from the DNR on these timber harvests because it makes sense to comprehensively assess the County’s options going forward, before these forests are put up for auction, given the new tools available to conserve older forests and also keep beneficiaries whole. As an example, Whatcom county commissioners recently sent a letter to DNR requesting a pause on a timber sale, in order to take the opportunity to engage DNR in including forests in the conservation programs the legislature has provided.

Please reconsider sending a letter to DNR asking for a pause on timber sales TCB23 and Power Plant scheduled to be approved June 6.