The Oregon Forestry Board Thursday delayed a decision on logging restrictions to keep water cool for endangered salmon.
At issue is how many trees should be left standing to provide shade along fish-bearing streams. Cold water is essential for many Northwest fish. When too many trees are cut, direct sun causes water temperatures to rise.
The Oregon Forestry Board will form a subcommittee to further examine possible changes. The board will consider the issue again this fall.
Oregon has less stringent streamside buffer rules than those in neighboring states. Federal regulators have said they would start withholding funds until Oregon strengthened those rules.
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