On Oct. 3 Nick Smith, with the Portland-based timber industry lobbying group, urged repeal of our State’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) which I-2117 would do. He criticized the legislature’s use of CCA funds for natural climate solutions such as older forest conservation in the areas surrounding the unique and fragile ecosystems near Dabob Bay. He argues that somehow it is better for the climate to clearcut our remaining natural, mature forests. He does not use proper forest carbon accounting.

Our older forests are world class carbon storing workhorses. They store carbon in the standing trees, the soil and in downed woody debris. They also continue to sequester more carbon over time. When an old forest is clearcut it is a major emissions event which exacerbates the climate crisis. The older forests near Dabob provide critical habitat for myriad species, house the world’s largest wild rhododendron forest and they serve to keep streams cool which is helpful to salmon runs.

The State Department of Natural Resources just recognized the ecological significance of this area when the Commissioner of Public Lands issued an order on Sept. 23 significantly expanding the Dabob Bay Natural Area Boundary — an expansion requested by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and a wide range of other stakeholders. Smith also claims that the loss of timber revenue will be consequential for local services. Our legislators worried about that too and that is why they used CCA funding to buy replacement forested lands of equal value to the ones being conserved. Local services will get the revenues from these lands that are more appropriate to log. We need wood products, but we also need mature forests to do the work they alone can do. And we need to keep the CCA. Please vote NO on I 2117.

Mary Jean Ryan

Quilcene