Lynn County, Oregon – A Timber Operator’s Perspective

The air was filled with the sounds and scents of the logging process as Roy Blackburn made his way along a muddy path tucked away in the Willamette National Forest, out of sight from the adjacent Forest Service road.

He hopped into the Timber Pro 830C forwarder, picking up felled trees, their bark flying off as he maneuvered them into a neat stack behind the trailer. Blackburn has been entrenched in the timber industry for over four decades, a family tradition, really. His father and brother both worked in the field.

“There’s no better place,” he remarked, clearly passionate about his work.

Once, wood was the backbone of Oregon’s economy. But starting in the early 1990s, stricter environmental regulations and shifts in the timber market set the stage for a downturn in forest harvesting.

In an effort to revive this industry, President Donald Trump has issued directives aimed at ramping up logging on federal lands. Environmental groups, however, have denounced these moves, calling them a misguided attempt to justify destructive practices.

Decline in Wood Production

Controversial logging practices, especially clear-cutting, have faced public backlash since the 1970s. Significant legislation, like the designation of the threatened Northern Spotted Owl, has further restricted logging activities on federal land.

According to recent data, wood harvesting on Forest Service land has plummeted nearly 80% since its peak in 1987. This decline has hit timber-dependent communities hard.

Tyler Freres, whose grandfather established the family’s sawmill back in 1922, shared how federal restrictions have dramatically reduced lumber output in Oregon’s Santiam Canyon. “It used to be 200 million feet; now we’re down to a million feet a year,” he said, reminiscing about the prosperity once enjoyed in his rural community.

In 2024 alone, at least seven sawmills closed their doors, leading to significant job losses, particularly in rural areas. A plywood factory across the Columbia River is also due to close, affecting 81 workers.

Smith, from the American Council on Forest Resources, voiced a sentiment that many conservative-leaning individuals share: “The federal government controls most forests in Oregon, leaving communities heavily reliant on federal decisions.”

With the closure of local mills, the country has turned increasingly to imports from Canada, China, and Brazil for wood products. “The decline in domestic supply has led to skyrocketing prices,” Freres noted.

Policy Changes Under Trump

In March, Trump signed an executive order aimed at revitalizing timber production on public land, asserting, “We don’t need Canadian wood. Our forests are vast, but environmental restrictions prevent us from using them.” The order set a goal of a 25% increase in timber production over the next four to five years.

The Forest Service has laid out plans to sell 4 billion board feet by 2028, aiming to streamline approval processes and regulations. However, critics like Miller McFeely argue that the agency is struggling for manpower and resources, especially after many staff departures.

The Forest Service, under the Trump administration, claims it is shifting from previous policies that favored environmental groups. “Having a clean, healthy forest is crucial,” a spokesperson stated, emphasizing a new direction in forest management.

This shift has left environmentalists concerned, particularly about potential logging in sensitive areas like the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. Many worry that current logging strategies could harm established ecosystems.

Freres and others in the timber industry argue that current practices target smaller, less significant trees rather than old-growth forests that conservationists often worry about. “We’re not after the big trees,” he explained.

At the logging site, Blackburn pointed out areas where old trees had fallen naturally, saying these decaying spots weren’t ideal for timber companies. He emphasized that wildfires and pests often take a greater toll on forests than logging itself. Since 2000, natural causes have decimated nearly 1,400 square miles of forest compared to just 14 square miles lost to logging-related activities.

Wildfires Highlight Forest Management Issues

The Santiam Canyon wildfire in August 2020 serves as a stark reminder of the impacts of poor forest management, burning over 400,000 acres and resulting in fatalities. Blackburn, who lost everything in that inferno, was unsurprised by the devastation, seeing it as a consequence of neglect.

The aftermath is evident, with signs of invasive species and remnants of burned wood lining the hills. While the Forest Service had plans to clear damaged trees in the wake of the fire, these were derailed by a local environmental lawsuit.

Miller McFeely noted that while the conservation of burned areas is important, allowing natural processes to play out is equally vital. “Wildfires can rejuvenate forest health,” he said. However, Trump’s administration aims to document and accelerate wildfire prevention efforts.

While executive actions can be overturned, there is a growing sense of support for forest management reform, especially with legislation like the Fix Our Forests Act gaining bipartisan traction. Smith believes that the ongoing threat of wildfires is uniting leaders across party lines.

Yet, many environmental groups remain skeptical, concerned about potential mismanagement. “You can’t just undo damage done to forests once it’s too late,” cautioned Miller McFeely.

Freres, looking back on the 2020 wildfires, expressed hope for positive change. “If politicians focus on supporting citizens and caring for our forests,” he said, “then good can come from these tragedies.”