Washington timber companies have to meet new, stricter guidelines if they want to log on potentially unstable slopes. Representatives of some of those companies testified to the state’s Forest Practices Board Wednesday saying the new regulations go too far and were implemented too quickly.
“I think we need to take a step back,” said Weyerhaeuser’s Kevin Godbout, who called the regulations “expensive” and “unnecessary.” The board voted unanimously to expand the state’s authority.
Property owners will have to provide the Department of Natural Resources with more scientific research of proposed timber harvest locations in slide-prone areas. “It requires ‘boots on the ground.’ It requires geologic expertise,” said board chair and State Forester Aaron Everett. He said the regulations could prevent future landslides.
Environmentalists said the new rules were reason to celebrate. “It brings in a lot more information at the ultimate decision on whether logging is going to be safe or unsafe,” said Peter Goldman, Director of the Washington Forest Law Center.
From King5.com: https://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/11/12/timber-olympia-forest-practices-board-landslides/18944929/