Support New Protections for Streams in Washington's Forests!

The Washington State Forest Practices Board is considering much needed and long overdue protections for streams in Washington's forests. The streams in question are known as “Type Np streams”. They do not contain fish, but they form the headwaters for our most important salmon habitat, running year-round and flowing directly into waters that do support fish. 

Under the current rules, trees can be harvested down to the edge of the stream for up to 50% of the length of Type Np streams. As a result, there are often areas near these streams that do not have enough trees to provide shade to help prevent the water from warming after harvest. To protect cool water and prevent temperature pollution, the proposed new rule would require more trees around streams. The widths of the proposed buffers vary from 50 to 75 feet, depending on site conditions.

The bad news is that timber industry groups are working hard to block this rule from being implemented, so it’s important that we speak out in support of it during the comment period.

Here’s what you can do:

• Send a written comment supporting the proposed protections for Type Np streams via email to forest.practicesboard@wadnr.gov
• Attend and speak in support of protections for Type Np streams at an in-person hearing:

- Wednesday, July 23, 4 p.m. – McClelland Center, 951 Delaware Street, Longview, WA 98632

- July 29, 4 p.m. – Sedro-Woolley Community Center, 703 Pacific St, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

- August 4, 4 p.m. – Vern Burton Gym, 308 East 4th Street, Port Angeles, WA

- August 12, 4 p.m. – Office Building 2 Auditorium, 1115 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Be sure and send your written comments before 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 18, 2025!

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Forest practices reforms are desperately needed in Washington State, and the protections of Type Np streams are a vital first step. If you want to do more to help, please consider also writing to Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove to express your support both for the proposed Type Np stream protections, and for further necessary reforms to forest practices.

Some things to mention to Dave in your letter:

• The need for increased buffers for seasonal streams, fish bearing streams, wetlands, and lakes (in addition to the proposed Type Np stream protections).
• Replace clearcut logging with more sustainable selective harvest methods.
• Increase harvest cycles to at least 100 years.
• Mandate diversity of tree species in forests, and ban the herbicides which are currently used to suppress biodiversity in forests.
• Designate permanent habitat trees on each acre throughout the forest.
• Protect the few remnant legacy forests on our public lands.

Address this email to Commissioner Dave Upthegrove: cpl@dnr.wa.gov and CC the forest practices board as well: forest.practicesboard@wadnr.gov

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If you’d like to learn more about forest practices reforms, check out this recent article I wrote, published in Works in Progress: https://olywip.org/forging-an-evergreen-future-for-washingtons-imperiled-forests/ 

With the Trump administration poised to decimate our public lands, we need to do everything possible to see that our state lands and wildlife are protected. This is a good way to start! Writing comments or attending hearings is a way to be heard. So raise your voice and act now!