HomeMy WebLinkAboutWashington State Department of Natural Resources 06012023
June 1, 2023
Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands
cpl@dnr.wa.gov
Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands
MS47001
Olympia, WA 98504-7001
Re: TCB 23 and Power Plant Timber Sales
Dear Ms. Franz,
The City of Port Angeles is requesting a pause in the timber sales in the Elwha River watershed to allow time to
consider management options that would maximize benefits for local revenue, good jobs, and ecosystem protection.
The City will continue to oppose the State logging in the Elwha River Watershed, until such time that we can
proactively and collectively discuss a long-term plan for harvests that protects the river.
The City continues to receive numerous emails from concerned residents related to both TCB 23 and Power Plant
cuts. We have previously conveyed the critical importance of the Elwha River Watershed to the City of Port
Angeles, and it is imperative that Department of Natural Resource take this into consideration prior to proceeding
with future sales.
While we appreciate that Olympic Regional Manager Griswold took the time to write to City Council to clarify the
intentions of the harvests, we feel there were missing elements from that letter and the previously completed State
Environmental Policy Act analysis. 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; and threatens Port
Angeles’ sole drinking water source.
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 our entire community and
over 25% of the county-wide drinking water. I look forward to future conversations on these specific harvests and to
working with you on planning for the future of Department of Natural Resource properties within the Elwha River
Watershed.
Sincerely,
Kate Dexter
Mayor
CC: City Council
Olympic Region Manager Griswold
321 East Fifth Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
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