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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimber Harvest Letter November 4, 2024 November 2, 2024 Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands MS47001 Olympia, WA 98504-7001 RE: Harvests in the Elwha River Watershed Dear Commission Franz, The City of Port Angeles respectfully requests that you remove from the Board of Natural Resources (BNR) November 5th Agenda all timber sales within the Elwha River Watershed. We have learned secondhand that recent sales for which we have commented as part of SEPA review are up for consideration at that meeting. We would further note that the agenda is not transparent about these harvests as they are not specifically mentioned on the agenda. Recently we were informed that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) perceives that the City's only interest was in the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) application. This perspective fails to appreciate and recognize the history of our decisions and prior communications. Please see the attached chronology. The City's objections to harvests that lacked a review of the impact on the Elwha Watershed preceded the City's TLT application. That application was a last resort effort that recognized the City watershed concerns had been dismissed relative to 3 consecutive harvests. Now we are faced with three additional Elwha Watershed timber harvests being placed on a non-descript agenda for forward progress. These timber sales are of critical concern to the City because the Elwha River is the sole source of potable water for over 20,000 residents of Port Angeles, as well as over 25% of Clallam County’s drinking water supply. Harvesting timber within the Elwha River Watershed poses a direct threat to our only water source, putting the health and safety of thousands of residents at risk. Water supply to our community and beyond demands that we take a diligent approach to planning harvests and watershed protection along the Elwha. We have repeatedly requested to be part of that process. The State Environmental Policy Act checklist notes that a watershed analysis was not conducted as part of the determination. The omission of this crucial analysis severely undermines the assessment of potential impacts on the watershed and, by extension, the City’s sole source of potable water. Without such an analysis, the determination is fundamentally flawed and incomplete. 321 East Fifth Street Port Angeles, WA 98362 Docusign Envelope ID: 5FAE1751-CDC3-4460-A559-5D1D9ED92DED The City remains open to solutions that prioritize the protection of our water supply, and we urge you to reconsider the discussion of these harvests at the November 5th BNR meeting. The health and well-being of our community must take precedence. We strongly advocate for a more thorough review of the environmental risks and expect the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement to begin promptly. Sincerely, Kate Dexter Mayor Docusign Envelope ID: 5FAE1751-CDC3-4460-A559-5D1D9ED92DED TIMELINE September 14, 2022 — Stage II Water Shortage Declared September 20, 2022 — Council Action: The Mayor added Letter to Request DNR to Delay Timber Auction to allow City to Review Impacts to Water, Climate Action Plan, and Carbon Offset discussion to the agenda as Other Considerations item I-4. Letter to Request DNR to Delay Timber Auction to allow City to Review Impacts to Water, Climate Action Plan, and Carbon Offset. Manager West provided information and sent notice to DNR requesting a review of the Aldwell forest land and believes the harvest should be evaluated for impact to the City water supply. Manager West read into the record an email provided to Department of Natural Resources on the subject harvest. Council discussion followed. It was moved by Suggs and seconded by Schromen-Wawrin to: Submit a letter on behalf of City Council to DNR to delay the Aldwell timber harvest, and request that the forest be considered for the carbon offset program and to allow the City to review impacts to watershed and Climate Action Plan policies implemented. The Mayor asked if there was unanimous consent, hearing no opposition, the motion carried 7-0. September 29, 2022 — COPA Letter To Hilary Franz Sent after Board of Natural Resources approved logging of timber in the Elwha River Watershed on 9/6/22 and City Council unanimously voted to voice their concerns on Sept 20, 2022, regarding the timber auction. Formal request to Commissioner Hilary Franz to delay the Aldwell Timber Harvest Auction #102215 and further request that this important legacy forest be considered for the Carbon Offset Program. Critically important for the City and other stakeholders (Lower Elwha Klallam and Jamestown S’Klallam Tribes) to be allowed time to review impacts to watershed and Climate Action Plan policies. The sale will be the demise of a valuable legacy forest on the Olympic Peninsula. Important of these forests: • Legacy forests sequester carbon and aid in reducing climate change. • Timber and complex forest canopies provide major biodiversity to our area that we cannot stand to lose. • Forests are a valuable resource to local tribes. • Federal government spent millions on restoration work during dam removal and re-stablishing the Elwha River Watershed. • Elwha is a critical local water supply that we have an obligation to protect. • Through interlocal agreements this water is purveyed beyond City boundaries. October 4, 2022 — City Council Action Taken To Declare A Stage III Water Shortage October 12, 2022 — DNR Letter To Kate Dexter November 2, 2022 – Stage III Water Shortage rescinded. April 14, 2023 — DNR Letter To City Council April 18, 2023 — COPA Letter To Hilary Franz Additional request to Commissioner Franz to delay the planned harvest sales of TCB23 and Power Plant Forests and to evaluate these stands relative to their contribution to the Elwha River Watershed and the protection of Docusign Envelope ID: 5FAE1751-CDC3-4460-A559-5D1D9ED92DED steep slopes located between these stands and the river. Received numerous correspondence from concerned residents in opposition of the sales for these two sites. TCB23 and Power Plant forests are adjacent to the Elwha River and play an important part in watershed restoration. Logging these forests: • compromises efforts to restore endangered salmon habitat • Threatens other endangered and recovering species • Destroys essential carbon sinks • Threatens Port Angeles’ sole drinking water source. City will continue to oppose the state logging in the Elwha River Watershed until we can proactively and collectively discuss a long-term plan for harvests that protect the river. Delaying these timber sales can provide time to explore forward-thinking solutions compatible with larger-scale Elwha Watershed restoration efforts. The Elwha River is the water source which serves the entire Port Angeles population and over 25% of the county-wide drinking water. April 18, 2023 — City Manager Update To CC June 1, 2023 — COPA Letter To Hilary Franz Additional request to Commissioner Franz to pause the timber sales in the Elwha River watershed to allow time to consider management options that would maximize the benefits for local revenue, good jobs, and ecosystem protection, Conveyed the critical importance of the Elwha River Watershed several times. June 2, 2023 — COPA Letter To BOCC September 29, 2023 – COPA submitted the Trust Lands Transfer (TLT) application for the Elwha Watershed Protection Project June 11, 2024 – DNR rejects COPA TLT application October 15, 2024 - COPA SEPA Comments in opposition to Tree Well Timber Sale October 14, 2024 – COPA SEPA Comments in opposition to Parched Timber Sale October 25, 2024 - COPA SEPA Comments in opposition to Alley Cat Harvest ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE • Aldwell Timber Harvest Auction #102215 – 9/29/22 • Aldwell Response City of PA 2022 – 10/12/22 • Timber Sale Letter – 4/14/23 • City of Port Angeles Letter to DNR_RE TCB23 – 4/18/23 • DNR May Request to pause Mayor to Franz – 6/1/23 • DNR letter to CCBOC – 6/2/23 Docusign Envelope ID: 5FAE1751-CDC3-4460-A559-5D1D9ED92DED Docusign Envelope ID: 5FAE1751-CDC3-4460-A559-5D1D9ED92DED