In wildfire-prone Washington, collaboration on forest management gives way to timber interests

Forest collaboratives, formed after the "Timber Wars," have gained significant influence over federal forest management in the Pacific Northwest. Jasmine Minbashian, an environmental activist, joined the North Central Washington Forest Health Collaborative to foster restoration efforts while collaborating with timber companies. Her optimism faded when the group altered its logging plan to favor commercial interests, ultimately awarding a $1. 1 million contract to Hampton Lumber. This change raised alarms about the ecological impact, particularly the removal of old-growth trees that play a critical role in forest health.

Minbashian pointed out that these trees are crucial for fire resistance and water storage. Critics of the collaboratives worry they prioritize commercial logging, potentially paving the way for policies that weaken environmental protections. Over the last decade, hundreds of millions of dollars have been allocated to restoration projects, but the focus on timber interests raises questions about the true intent of these initiatives. This conflict underscores the ongoing struggle to balance economic interests with ecological conservation in forest management.