Environment WA plan to conserve 77,000 acres of older forests draws fire

Washington loggers, school leaders and conservation activists on Wednesday decried the state lands commissioner’s proposal to set aside 77,000 acres of older forests while opening 29,000 acres back up for logging.

Some said the plan, announced by Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove last week, didn’t do enough to protect the state’s older forests, while others said it would lead to layoffs, business closures and delay of critical school construction projects.

“Not only will this set-aside acreage jeopardize manufacturing jobs in our state, it also threatens beneficiaries with staggering losses in revenue,” said Austin Serrano, a forester who gave public comment during the Board of Natural Resources’ monthly meeting on Wednesday

Criticism of the plan dominated the meeting’s hourlong public comment period.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/03/wa-plan-to-conserve-77000-acres-of-older-forests-draws-fire/