Oregon Public Broadcasting

Environmental and fishing groups asked Monday that Oregon officials reconsider plans to boost logging in the northern coast range. 

In April, Oregon's Board of Forestry approved new plans for the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests.

Bob Van Dyk is with the Wild Salmon Center – one of eleven groups challenging the new plans. Van Dyk says state scientists – and the three elected officials on the State Land Board - have raised questions, too.

Bob Van Dyk: "The State Land Board essentially told the Board of Forestry to get more science done before implementing the plan. So we'd like to see some permanent protected areas out on these critical watersheds that aren't part of the plan now. And there needs to be more science done."

Oregon's governor, treasurer and secretary of state make up the land board, which oversees some state forest lands not governed by the Board of Forestry.

The Land Board voted for the logging plan two weeks ago. But, members wanted results of a scientific review before the plans go into effect on the ground.

The Department of Forestry says the new Tillamook and Clatsop plans will lead to a better balance of social, economic, and environmental benefits for Oregon.