HomeMy WebLinkAbout101823 DNR Timber Sale in Jefferson CountyALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hello,
I'm extremely concerned about the "Last Crocker" timber sale, located right off 101 between Quilcene and Disco Bay. This sale is coming up for decision very soon (I think it's at the
next BNR meeting, Nov 7) and will be very harmful to the watershed and ecology of Crocker Lake, Lake Leland and the whole surrounding area. The DNR wants to auction off 141 acres of
our last, best mature forest to the highest bidder, possibly by the end of 2023.
I have reviewed your June 27 letter to the DNR, and I agree with all of the main points. However, I strongly believe that "Last Crocker" should be included in your priorities for conservation.
So far in 2023 the County Commissioners of Thurston, Whatcom, and King counties have successfully advocated for mature forests and gotten the DNR to back off of their planned clearcuts.
I am urging you to do the same.
In this area are large Douglas fir and cedar trees dating back to the 1930s and multiple wetlands and streams. Some quick facts:
● The Last Crocker Sorts timber sale is 141 acres, between 76.6 and 102 acres of
this timber sale is structurally diverse forest with trees that are at least 90 years
old.
● The sale has four units, unit one, two and three are legacy forest while unit four is
a plantation forest.
● The sale contains trees marked to be cut that are up to 50 inches in diameter,
this includes massive western red cedar trees and towering Douglas Fir.
● The sale will clear-cut around sensitive forested wetlands.
The DNR is planning 8 timber sales in Jefferson County in this fiscal year. Last
Crocker Sorts is the only one of these timber sales that contains legacy forest,
but the county has not yet spoken out against it.
■ Canceling this timber sale is a necessary first step in protecting Jefferson
County's old forests.
■ The DNR will still be able to auction off 7 other sales to provide logs
for the timber industry if this sale is protected.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Jim Oliver
South Sound Coordinator
southsound@c4rf.org <mailto:southsound@c4rf.org>