Re: “Pro/Con: Changes to Forest & Fish Law” (Aug. 14, Opinion):
I would wholeheartedly agree with the timber industry that the 1999 Forest & Fish Law is perfectly adequate … if it were not for the fact that our climate is changing. Disregarding the science of climate change threatens our current and future forests and the important services they provide, such as clean water and air, habitats, wood products, etc. So yes, our forest practices must constantly evolve to maintain a resilient forest ecosystem and protect our watersheds.
By the 2040s, 40 miles of the Nooksack River Basin in Whatcom County will exceed the thermal tolerance of adult salmon. Summer stream flows will also decline over the next few decades. A forest buffer shading these mainly high-elevation feeder streams will help maintain cooler temperatures and slow evapotranspiration — clearly, a science-based and commonsense update to Forest & Fish Law.
Washington is the second highest exporter of lumber in the U.S. and our state is the largest exporter of raw logs. Wood products are a critical renewable resource and I support a sustainable timber industry. However, what does a sustainable timber industry look like under climate change? Can our forest-dependent communities survive if we ignore climate change? These are questions we must address.
Ellyn Murphy, Bellingham
