The forestry sector and rural communities in Oregon have been jolted by a recent decision made by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Board. On March 7, the board passed a contentious State Lands Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), causing uproar due to its potential to significantly reduce state forest timber harvests by 34 percent, resulting in substantial economic and job losses across the state.
In a statement, Rex Storm, Executive Vice President of the Associated…