USFS proposes tripling Blue Mountains logging

The U.S. Forest Service published a draft revision to the Blue Mountain Forest Plan, proposing to potentially triple logging across 5.5 million acres in eastern United States — Oregon and southeast Washington over the next decade. The plan also includes rescinding the Eastside Screens rule (prohibiting logging trees over 21 inches in diameter) and assumes Congress will rescind the Roadless Rule, which would open additional land to logging. Environmental groups like Oregon Wild oppose the plan, arguing it threatens wildlife and water quality, while the timber industry group American Forest Resource Council supports the changes as overdue for wildfire prevention and economic reasons. Public comments are accepted until Sept. 30, 2026.