A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of environmental groups, affirming a district court decision that prevents logging on private land formerly part of the Elliott State Forest in Oregon. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that logging mature and old-growth trees on the 355-acre parcel would harm the marbled murrelet, a threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act. This decision marks a significant victory for conservationists in safeguarding the habitat of the marbled murrelet, particularly as timber companies are now prohibited from logging the trees essential for the seabirds’ nesting.
The legal battle stemmed from plans by timber company Scott Timber, a subsidiary of RLC Industries, to clearcut 49 acres of the parcel, a move strongly opposed by environmental groups like Cascadia Wildlands. The court ruling now holds private timber operators accountable under the Endangered Species Act, setting a precedent for future conservation efforts. The marbled murrelets, which rely on mature and old-growth trees for nesting, have faced habitat destruction due to decades of commercial logging.
The Elliott State Forest, once part of the controversy, is undergoing transformation into a research forest by the state of Oregon. Despite attempts to auction off parcels to private buyers, legal restrictions have led to a shift in conservation efforts. The court’s decision reinforces the importance of protecting vulnerable species in privately owned forests and sets a precedent for future environmental conservation measures. The ruling represents a significant step towards safeguarding threatened species and their habitats in Oregon.
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Photo credit oregoncapitalchronicle.com
