Forest Practices on Nonfederal Lands in Washington State

Washington state recognized the need to improve industrial timber harvest in light of the slew of salmon and steelhead listings under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1999. The new state forest practices regulations are the product of a landmark negotiation known as the Forests and Fish Report (FFR), in which the federal government granted the state immunity from prosecution under the ESA for logging-related impacts on aquatic species. The FFR has been the subject of controversy and litigation because, though the new rules are a vast improvement (as compared to Oregon for instance), they are still inadequate to prevent continued harm to the species they purport to protect.

Washington's Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) was approved by the federal government in June 2006. (View the final Plan) This Plan covers almost 100,000 miles of streams running through 9.3 million acres of non-federal forestland and the following aquatic species: salmon, steelhead, coastal cutthroat, whitefish, lamprey, and six stream-breeding amphibians -- Van Dyke's, Dunn's, Olympic Torrent, Cascade Torrent and Columbia Torrent Salamanders, and two species of Tailed Frog.

Our overall goals in following the development of Washington's HCP were: to a) prevent weakening of the new forest practices standards; b) encourage even stronger provisions in the final HCP based on sound science; c) ensure faithful application of legal standards; d) limit application of the No Surprises policy and; e) secure an appropriate role for monitoring and adaptive management. Ultimately, the success of the HCP will be measured by the extent to which the plan maintains and improves current levels of protection for aquatic ecosystems on non-federal forestlands in Washington state.

In consultation with science staff and outside advisors, PRC submitted comments on the Draft plan that focused largely on its serious shortcomings with regard to headwater streams and amphibians. Our input was made in partnership with the Washington Forest Law Center, American Lands and several Washington-based groups.

PRC believes that until changes are made to strengthen the state's forest practices program, such as stronger limitations on logging near small streams, the HCP cannot meet the legal standards of the ESA.

More Information

In May 2012, PRC as a member of the Conservation Caucus reached a settlement with the state of Washington and the Washington Forest Protection Association that achieves further protections for fish and clean water. Read the agreement here

Read a July 2009 letter to federal agencies about Forests and Fish HCP Adaptive Management submitted by the Forest and Fish Conservation Caucus.

In February 2009, KIRO 7 TV in Western Washington aired a new documentary, Another Perfect Storm, which discussed the role that logging steep and unstable slopes plays in creating landslides.  Read the Press Release and visit www.kirotv.com for more information.

Read a January 2009 letter  to Washington's Commissioner of Public Lands making recommendations to improve public participation and Forest Practices Board meetings.  This letter was submitted on behalf of the Forests and Fish Conservation Caucus, of which Pacific Rivers Council is a part.

Read a letter to Governor Christine Gregoire about Forests and Fish HCP Adaptive Management (July 19, 2007). This letter was submitted on behalf of the Forests and Fish Conservation Caucus.

Read an article in the Seattle PI about compliance with logging rules.

View our Op-Ed printed in the Seattle PI (June 16, 2005).

Read our May 2005 comments on the Proposed Washington State Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement with Emphasis on Amphibian Conservation.

Read our May 2005 technical comments on the Proposed Washington State Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan.