OSU drops out of plan to manage Elliott State Research Forest

Oregon State University Withdraws from Management of Elliott State Research Forest

Introduction

After five years of collaborating with tribes and state agencies to create the largest research forest in North America, Oregon State University officials have decided they will no longer participate in its management.

The announcement came in a letter from the university’s new president, Jayathi Murthy, to the State Land Board on Nov. 20, just over a month before the state’s deadline to submit a critical habitat conservation plan for the Elliott State Research Forest to federal agencies for approval. The university’s decision stems from “the difficulty of resolving the competing interests of state, tribal, industry, environmentalist and community interests,” it said in a release.

Concerns about Management and Revenue

In her letter, Murthy said she was concerned the current management and habitat plans for the 80,000-acre forest north of Coos Bay would not allow enough logging and would not bring in sustainable revenue.

“Regretfully, I find the current trajectory of the planning process is on a course that will fail to deliver the public good anticipated, and falls well short of the ‘world class research forest’ envisioned,” she wrote. She added that the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, partners in the forest’s planning and management, have also expressed to university leadership that more forestland needs to be opened to logging.

The Importance of the Elliott State Research Forest

The Elliott State Forest has about 41,000 acres of old-growth trees, making it one of the largest uncut areas left in the Oregon Coast Range, according to Oregon Wild. It also has some of the most productive and pristine streams for protected salmon and critical habitat for threatened species, such marbled murrelets, northern spotted owls and salmon.

As a research forest, it can be studied for sustainable logging, habitat and conservation practices and used for recreation.

Impact of Oregon State’s Withdrawal

Without Oregon State’s involvement, the Oregon Department of State Lands could be set back in its planning, but not derailed, said department director Vicki Walker.

“Let me be abundantly clear,” she wrote in response to Murthy’s letter, “the state remains deeply committed to the vision of an Elliott State Research Forest. The department will continue to work collaboratively with the prospective board, tribes, stakeholders and partners to map out options and actions needed for the research forest to become a reality.”

From working forest to research forest

The Elliott State Research Forest, formerly the Elliott State Forest, was Oregon’s first “state forest” taken from the ancestral lands of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. Since the early 1900s, it was logged to provide revenue for the state’s Common School Fund. In 2016, the state took it out of production, in large part because it had been too heavily logged and lawsuits claiming violations of the Endangered Species Act had limited much of the logging still allowed in the forest.

The State Land Board attempted to sell it to a private timber company, but under pressure from environmentalists brought the Department of State Lands, Oregon State University and the Confederated Tribes together as co-partners to manage it as a future research forest.

By December 2022, state officials voted to buy the forest with $220 million of Oregon taxpayer funds, and to take it out of production for schools. The Legislature created a new government entity, the Elliott State Research Forest Authority, to oversee the management of the forest by the state, tribes and university.

According to current habitat and forest management plans, about one-third of the forest cannot be intensively logged and about one-third of it cannot be logged at all. About 14,000 acres, nearly one-fifth of the forest, is open to clearcutting and about 3,400 acres of old growth up to 160-years old can be logged. An unknown number of acres could be used as carbon sinks to offset polluters who buy into carbon credit

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the management of the Elliott State Research Forest, which is a forested area. SDG 15 aims to promote the sustainable management of all types of forests.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article mentions the potential use of the forest as carbon sinks to offset polluters. SDG 13 focuses on integrating climate change measures into national policies and planning.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

Although not directly mentioned in the article, the Elliott State Research Forest is located near the coast and likely has an impact on marine and coastal ecosystems. SDG 14 emphasizes the sustainable management and protection of these ecosystems.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The Elliott State Research Forest is a research forest that can be studied for sustainable logging, habitat, and conservation practices. SDG 4 aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article mentions concerns about sustainable revenue and the potential impact on jobs. SDG 8 focuses on promoting sustainable economic growth and decent work.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests

The article discusses the management of the Elliott State Research Forest and the competing interests of various stakeholders regarding logging and conservation practices.

Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

The potential use of the forest as carbon sinks to offset polluters reflects the integration of climate change measures into planning and management decisions.

Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts

Although not directly mentioned in the article, the management of the forest, which is located near the coast, likely has implications for marine and coastal ecosystems.

Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development

The article highlights the research and educational potential of the Elliott State Research Forest, which can contribute to promoting sustainable development through knowledge acquisition.

Target 8.6: Promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

The concerns about sustainable revenue and potential impact on jobs indicate the relevance of promoting sustainable tourism and economic growth in the management of the forest.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: oregonlive.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.