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The sound of chain saws and logging tools on state Division of Pure Sources forest lands within the northeast nook of Clark County has been silenced now {that a} non permanent restraining order has gone into impact.
Clark County Superior Courtroom Choose Derek Vanderwood issued the non permanent order Wednesday in response to a request filed by the Legacy Forest Protection Coalition and Mates of Clark County.
Vanderwood stated this was a difficult case with quite a lot of authorized points.
“I think, based on the circumstances presented at this time, the appellants have established an adequate basis for the restraining order,” Vanderwood stated. “That does not mean there’s an issue that has already been decided as far as the preliminary injunction.”
The coalition and residents within the space raised the alarm final August after the state introduced it could promote the timber on 5 parcels of land throughout the historic Yacolt Burn space, collectively often known as the Dabbler sale, at public sale the next month.
“The Dabbler timber sale targets forests that are over 120 years old, featuring diverse canopies and critical habitats for species like the Northern spotted owl,” Stephen Kropp, director of Legacy Forest Protection Coalition, stated on the time. “Logging these forests violates DNR’s own policies, which require protection of older forests to achieve long-term conservation and biodiversity goals.”
The conservation group filed go well with towards the state and then-Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz in December, looking for an injunction to dam the sale. Mates of Clark County joined the go well with in January. In its submitting, Legacy Forest Protection stated the state has set targets for preserving noticed owl habitat — targets it hasn’t but achieved — and shouldn’t be permitting prime habitat to be reduce down.
The sale was paused for 3 months whereas the state accomplished the required environmental evaluation associated to the mission’s 1,600 ft of street building, 7,500 ft of street reconstruction and 25,550 ft of pre-haul upkeep.
Regardless of the authorized problem, DNR moved ahead with the sale in late January, promoting the timber to Stimson Lumber Co., which started logging the property in early February.
Ann Foster of Mates of Clark County stated residents are taking a fantastic curiosity in preserving inexperienced areas, particularly as forest and agricultural lands are swallowed up by improvement.
“This matters to a lot of citizens,” Foster stated after Wednesday’s listening to. “I hear that from friends and the public.”
A listening to on Legacy Forest Protection and Mates of Clark County’s movement for an injunction is scheduled for March 21.