Protecting Streams in eastern Oregon

Logging next to streams can harm water quality and wildlife habitat. Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project is committed to upholding beneficial environmental protections for streams and Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs), and ensuring that commercial logging in RHCAs does not gain a foothold on public lands in eastern Oregon. Unfortunately, many ecological protections are now under attack, and the USFS is currently proposing to log in streamside corridors within Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs) in numerous timber sales. Such proposals are now commonly included in many of the large timber sales on public lands in eastern Oregon. Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project staff and volunteers have spent hundreds of hours on the ground, field surveying the proposed logging projects within streamside RHCAs. We use the information we collected to challenge ecologically destructive proposals.

We are opposed to commercial logging in RHCAs because of the well-documented and inherent degradation of water quality and riparian habitats, and the negative effects associated with the removal of larger, commercial-sized trees. We are opposed to the USFS incentivizing logging in these ecologically sensitive and complex areas. We also have serious concerns about ecologically inappropriate non-commercial as well as commercial logging, particularly when it exacerbates water quality degradation; increases road-related impacts such as fragmentation; logs large trees; occurs in mixed-conifer forests; causes a loss of mature forests or connectivity;  degrades wildlife habitat; or threatens ecological integrity.

Sign up for our Action Alerts and updates!
We alert supporters of the need for comments on timber sales, livestock allotments, and other projects. When you comment it really does make a difference on the outcome. Even short comments can help stop or alter a sale. We also send out our biannual work reports and other updates.

We also accept donations of equipment, field gear, office supplies, and other items. We are particularly in need of: GPS units, laptops, digital cameras, dbh tape measures, compasses that can also measure slope, non-perishable food, and other similar items. Contact us if you have items you can donate or if you have any questions. Thank you!

Volunteer in the field with Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project! Contact us at 541-385-9167
Want to help with events, social media, or public comments? Call us at 510-715-6238
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