Oregon Forestry Officials Want to Keep Waters Cool for Salmon
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Board of Forestry is considering how much to increase the number of trees that must be left standing along small and medium streams on private timberlands to shade the water and keep it cool for salmon.
Studies have shown current rules don’t do enough to maintain shade along small and medium streams. The more trees left standing, the better the chance of meeting the temperature standard. But that would lessen profits for timberland owners. Conservation groups want the board to take major steps to expand logging buffers along streams.
The timber industry argues the board can meet its legal obligations without major changes, and any warming goes away as trees grow back.The board votes Thursday in Salem.
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