What’s going on? The Oregon Board of Forestry has proposed new stream protection rules that modestly increase restrictions on logging near some streams on some of Oregon’s private forest land in Western Oregon.  The purpose of these rules is to prevent streams from warming up when streamside shade trees are logged -- as required by our water quality laws. 

These rules will become effective June 1, 2017 unless public comments received by March 1 convince the Board to improve them.   Even if the Board doesn’t change its rule proposal before final adoption, comments submitted at public meetings and in writing will help get the word out that this rule change isn’t enough to protect water quality and that Oregonians want stronger stream protection on more streams statewide.