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Opponents Of Timber Sale Occupy Trees In Willamette National Forest

Photo provided by Cascadia Forest Defenders.

Environmental activists are occupying trees in the Willamette National Forest, to protest a potential timber sale.

In a statement shared with KLCC, Cascadia Forest Defenderssay the Flat Country Timber deal threatens thousands of acres of old growth forest. They’re calling on Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to join Congressman Peter DeFazio in opposition.

Credit Photo provided by Cascadia Forest Defenders
Unidentified activist on platform somewhere in the Willamette National Forest.

Another group, Cascadia Wildlands, has challenged the sale. It’s encouraged the U.S. Forest Service to drop all regeneration harvest on older stands, adding it’s destructive to both forest and watershed health.

Earlier this year, the Willamette National Forest issued its decision on the Flat Country Project. It would allow a harvest of  roughly 4,400 acres in the project area, towards providing what it deems a sustainable amount of timber products, as well as maintaining roads.

It’s not known how long the tree occupiers will stay, , but Cascadia Forest Defenders says it’s told local timber companies, quote – “If you buy this land, you buy us too.”

Copyright 2021, KLCC. 

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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