The Forest Service says it's holding off on a plan to thin trees on Mount Hood National Forest. Despite input from conservationists on ways to be environmentally responsible, a Portland environmental group opposes the project.
Amelia Templeton
The Mount Hood National Forest has withdrawn a decision to thin trees in the Clackamas River watershed.
Usually it’s the trees that make a timber sale controversial. Not this one though. Chris Worth is supervisor of the Mt. Hood National Forest.
“It’s all focused on thinning densely growing crowded tree plantations that range from 30 to 60 years of age," he says.
Worth says the plan to thin 2,000 acres was drawn up with the support of an advisory panel that includes conservation groups. But one Portland conservation group filed an appeal to stop the thinning sale. BARK said the project would require reopening 12 miles of closed logging roads And that, they say, could harm water quality in the Clackamas River.
Worth says his staff is taking another look at the thinning project and will consider design changes. But the Mt. Hood National Forest still plans to go forward with some version of the sale.