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Oregon Old-Growth Trees Targeted in Logging Dispute
15 May
Summary
- Conservation groups allege illegal logging of old-growth trees near Yoncalla.
- New evidence suggests federally protected trees were logged in the Blue and Gold sale.
- Lawsuit seeks to halt logging due to harm to endangered species habitat.
Conservation groups in Oregon have filed a lawsuit alleging that old-growth trees are being illegally logged near Yoncalla, Douglas County. Organizations including Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild, and Umpqua Watersheds claim that the Bureau of Land Management's Blue and Gold timber sale included trees over 40 inches in diameter and older than 170 years. This new evidence has led to a formal request for a federal court order to stop the logging.
The lawsuit aims to protect endangered northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet habitats, which are threatened by the loss of old-growth forests. Federal laws govern timber harvests on public lands, with past rulings upholding environmental protection plans. The Blue and Gold sale, planned to log 2,400 acres over eight years starting in 2024, has faced accusations of misrepresenting tree ages and omitting endangered species data.
Environmental groups also claim former BLM employees reported intentional omissions of endangered species evidence and misrepresentation of forest ages. The Bureau of Land Management has stated that all western Oregon timber sales prohibit the removal of old-growth trees, but declined to comment on the specific Blue and Gold sale due to ongoing litigation.
