Douglas Timber Operators Calls For Full Revision Of Northwest Forest Plan

Roseburg, OR - Douglas Timber Operators (DTO) has issued a formal call for a complete revision of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP). In a letter to Tom Schultz, Chief of the United States Forest Service, DTO Executive Director Matt Hill outlined the plan's failure to deliver on its economic and environmental promises, urging immediate action in light of President Trump’s recent Executive Order on American timber production. Originally enacted in 1994 under the Clinton-Gore administration, the NWFP promised a “predictable and sustainable level of timber sales” while protecting critical habitats like that of the Northern Spotted Owl. However, DTO asserts that the plan has fallen short on both fronts. In the Umpqua National Forest (UNF), timber harvests have plummeted from over 300 million board feet (mmbf) annually pre-1990s to a current guideline of just 25 mmbf—enough to supply local mills for only 14 days per year. Meanwhile, wildfires have ravaged 44% of the UNF since 1987, disproportionately impacting reserved areas and accelerating the loss of old-growth forests and owl habitat. “The Northwest Forest Plan is failing our communities and our environment,” said Matt Hill. “We’ve seen job losses, shrinking county revenues, and devastating wildfires that threaten both human safety and the very species the plan was meant to protect. It’s time for a bold revision that prioritizes dynamic forest management and sustainable timber production.” DTO’s letter highlights several critical issues: Economic Collapse: The UNF has never met its Allowable Sale Quantity of 78 mmbf, leaving local mills and county services underfunded. Wildfire Crisis: 63% of burned acres in the UNF occur in Late-Successional Reserves (LSR), with high-severity fires erasing habitat gains and converting forests to brushlands. Environmental Setbacks: The Northern Spotted Owl population has declined by 61.8% on federal lands within the NWFP area since the plan’s inception. Recreation and Health Impacts: Wildfires and their aftermath annually impact summer recreation while smoke affects air quality in nearby towns. DTO also critiques the draft Amendment to the NWFP, arguing it doubles down on a flawed reserve system and further reduces timber harvest potential on the UNF. The organization aligns with the American Forest Resources Council and Intertribal Timber Council in calling for a comprehensive overhaul, including better tribal inclusion and condition-based forest management to address wildfire risks and climate change. In response to President Trump’s Executive Order mandating timber sale targets, DTO proposes forming a technical working group of experienced forest managers to draft a revised NWFP by the end of 2025. The group would leverage existing data to balance economic vitality with environmental resilience. “Douglas County remains the Timber Capital of the World,” Hill added. “We stand ready to work with the Forest Service to create a plan that delivers for our mills, our forests, and our future.” Via Douglas Timber Operators Release Photos by Ryan Finlay