The Washington State Forest Practices Board recently voted to significantly increase no-harvest buffers on non-fish bearing streams.
This will take about 200,000 acres out of timber production, costing the state billions of dollars, specifically the counties and schools.
How will we make up for this lack of revenue? Silly question, we'll raise taxes of course!
And where will the timber be harvested to make up for this lack of production? As Washington state has the strictest timber harvesting rules on the planet, it will happen somewhere else, with less restrictive rules. Or perhaps no rules.
And what about the lost jobs? All those evil loggers, truck drivers, mill workers, etc., can simply go on public aid. How will we pay for that? Again, silly question.
This is an astoundingly short-sighted decision that will be of no discernible benefit to fish, but typical for those with a supposed environmental bent. It's all about feeling good and having good intentions.
Yes, trees will get cut elsewhere to make up for our shortcoming, maybe in a place where they don't replant or care about fish.
But as long as it's not in our backyard, it's all good.
Rick Kuykendall
Chehalis
