Dear John,

Oregon’s state forests need your voice. The Board of Forestry is meeting on Thursday, September 7, to consider changes to core conservation areas under the proposed Western State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). A strong HCP will help protect iconic salmon runs, wildlife habitat, recreation, and clean water while ensuring more sustainable timber harvest. Right now, the timber industry and pro-logging politicians are calling on the Board of Forestry to reject the proposed HCP, prioritizing timber harvest and profits over all other values. We need to counter their efforts to weaken the HCP. I’ll be testifying on the 7th in support of passing the strongest HCP possible. Will you make your voice heard and add your name to this petition that I’ll be submitting on the 7th when I testify?

The HCP is a plan based on science that was developed with years of extensive public input. If the Board of Forestry succumbs to corporate timber industry pressure and the HCP is weakened, or thrown out altogether, thousands of acres will open up for the benefit of the timber industry and industrial-scale clearcuts. Vulnerable fish and wildlife will be threatened by destructive logging practices and environmental groups will be forced to litigate. Not only that, rural Oregonians could lose access to clean, cold drinking water if clearcuts damage their drinking water sources. We need to show up and support the Board of Forestry to stand strong against the demands of the timber industry.

At the Board of Forestry's meeting in June, a state forester highlighted the large backlog of timber sales that have been purchased but haven’t been harvested by the timber industry. This backlog exceeds Oregon’s annual state forest harvest by 50%. Still, they want more, and they’re using inflammatory and misleading statements to undermine the HCP. With this massive backlog of timber sales in place, the Board needs our support to stand strong against pressure from the timber industry and avoid weakening the HCP. Join us, stand tall for Oregon’s forests, and add your name to the petition for our forests; for clean, cold water; for fish and wildlife; and for the greatest permanent value for all Oregonians.

Thank you for all that you do.

Best,
Julia DeGraw

Coalition Director, OLCV