The Register Guard: State looks at logging rules protecting salmon streams
Warmer water in streams through private timberlands could harm fish, a study finds
By Jeff Barnard
The Associated Press
Published: Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012 04:25AM
http://www.registerguard.com/
A study finding that logging on private timberlands is making streams warmer, potentially harming salmon, has prompted the state Board of Forestry to consider tightening state logging standards.
Board of Forestry Chairman John Blackwell said Monday that he expects that the changes would amount to a tweaking of the Oregon Forest Practices Act, which sets standards for timber harvest on state and private lands. He added that the board was mindful of the need to protect salmon, which need cold water, but did not want to impose regulations that would prompt timberland owners to sell their lands for vacation home and resort development.
Its certainly going to tighten regulations on landowners, but it will not be onerous, and we will do it in such a way that landowners understand the value of it, Blackwell said.
The study by the state Department of Forestry and Oregon State University found that state logging standards on private lands were inadequate to meet the state cold water quality standard. Based on 33 sites on state and private lands in the Coast Range dating to 2002, the study found an average increase of 1.26 degrees after logging on private lands. There was no increase on state timberlands, where more trees are left standing along streams. The temperature increases were caused by less shade thrown on the water by trees.
After hearing the study results last week, the board voted 5-2 to direct the department to start preparing new rules for protecting streamside buffers on private lands.
Board member Jennifer Phillippi, whose family owns a mill and timberlands in Southwestern Oregon, said she voted against moving forward on new regulations because the study results are not all in, and the changes in water temperature were small.
Everybody agrees the RipStream study is a good study, but its not finished, she said. I would expect as we gather the rest of the information, that were going to find solutions that are effective and efficient.
Dave Powers, regional manager for forestry of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Portland, said Washington state has for a decade had much stronger protections for streams on private timberlands than Oregon, and he expected the board to consider the issue seriously.
EPA also would like to see lands continue in forest production, he said. We do not believe protection of water quality and aquatic species is inconsistent with producing timber.
Bob Van Dyk of the Wild Salmon Center in Portland said improving stream protection would help the sport and commercial fishing industries.
He said it has been 17 years since regulations significantly cut back logging to protect fish and wildlife, and new science is prompting some of those decisions to be reconsidered.
Copyright © 2012 The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA
The Associated Press
Published: Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012 04:25AM
http://www.registerguard.com/
A study finding that logging on private timberlands is making streams warmer, potentially harming salmon, has prompted the state Board of Forestry to consider tightening state logging standards.
Board of Forestry Chairman John Blackwell said Monday that he expects that the changes would amount to a tweaking of the Oregon Forest Practices Act, which sets standards for timber harvest on state and private lands. He added that the board was mindful of the need to protect salmon, which need cold water, but did not want to impose regulations that would prompt timberland owners to sell their lands for vacation home and resort development.
Its certainly going to tighten regulations on landowners, but it will not be onerous, and we will do it in such a way that landowners understand the value of it, Blackwell said.
The study by the state Department of Forestry and Oregon State University found that state logging standards on private lands were inadequate to meet the state cold water quality standard. Based on 33 sites on state and private lands in the Coast Range dating to 2002, the study found an average increase of 1.26 degrees after logging on private lands. There was no increase on state timberlands, where more trees are left standing along streams. The temperature increases were caused by less shade thrown on the water by trees.
After hearing the study results last week, the board voted 5-2 to direct the department to start preparing new rules for protecting streamside buffers on private lands.
Board member Jennifer Phillippi, whose family owns a mill and timberlands in Southwestern Oregon, said she voted against moving forward on new regulations because the study results are not all in, and the changes in water temperature were small.
Everybody agrees the RipStream study is a good study, but its not finished, she said. I would expect as we gather the rest of the information, that were going to find solutions that are effective and efficient.
Dave Powers, regional manager for forestry of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Portland, said Washington state has for a decade had much stronger protections for streams on private timberlands than Oregon, and he expected the board to consider the issue seriously.
EPA also would like to see lands continue in forest production, he said. We do not believe protection of water quality and aquatic species is inconsistent with producing timber.
Bob Van Dyk of the Wild Salmon Center in Portland said improving stream protection would help the sport and commercial fishing industries.
He said it has been 17 years since regulations significantly cut back logging to protect fish and wildlife, and new science is prompting some of those decisions to be reconsidered.
Copyright © 2012 The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA