AFRC, Oregon loggers urge more active management in the Blue Mountain Forest Plan

EASTERN OREGON – The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) and Associated Oregon Loggers (AOL) are urging the U.S. Forest Service to adopt a Blue Mountain Forest Plan that will improve and increase active management across the 4.9 million acres that comprise the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Malheur national forests.

In separate comments submitted for the plan’s draft environmental impact statement, both groups said the plans should improve active management using local professional land managers and giving them the flexibility needed to respond to unhealthy forest conditions that increase the risks of sever wildfire.

“Eastern Oregon is losing too many forested acres to severe wildfire, insects and disease, and we need forest plans that allow the forest service to mitigate those threats,” AFRC Director of Forest Policy and Monitoring Andy Geissler stated. “The Blue Mountain Forest Plan Revision is an opportunity to improve and increase active management while sustaining the mills and logging businesses needed to get that work done.”

AOL Forest Policy Manager Amanda Sullivan Astor agreed.

“The final plans should give forest service staff the flexibility to utilize treatments that fit the conditions on the ground and best utilize professional forest contractors in their community,” she said.

The Blue Mountain Forest Plan revision will guide management of the three forests for years to come.

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Elkhorn Media Group