Timber Harvest Plans: A Flawed Effort to Balance Economic and Environmental Needs

In this examination of the State's current Timber Harvest Plan process, the Commission found that the process is complex, inequitable, and costly, producing frustration for administering state departments, the timber industry and environmental advocacy groups. The Commission also found that the process has not proven effective in achieving a sound balance between economic and environmental concerns.

In response to these two key findings, the Commission proposes reform in eight recommendations designed to provide better protection for the environment while streamlining the process of timber harvesters, particularly those with logging operations that will have a minimal impact on surrounding ecosystems.