Northwest Forest Plan facts for kids

The Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) is a set of rules and guidelines from the U.S. federal government. It helps manage how land is used on federal properties in the Pacific Northwest part of the United States. This plan covers a huge area, about 10 million hectares (which is like 25 million acres!), across Western Oregon, Washington, and a small piece of Northern California.

Why the Plan Started

The Northwest Forest Plan was put into action in 1994. This happened during the time when Bill Clinton was the President of the United States. The plan came about after many studies and meetings that began in 1993.

The main reason for starting the plan was to protect old-growth forests. These are very old forests with huge trees. People were cutting down too many of these trees. This was a big problem for the northern spotted owl, which needs these old forests to live.

President Clinton's Vision

President Clinton wanted a plan that was fair and based on science. He asked 10 different federal agencies to work together. These agencies were in charge of things like forests, fish, wildlife, and national parks. Their goal was to create a plan that was "scientifically sound, ecologically credible, and legally responsible." This means it had to be based on good science, good for nature, and follow all the laws.

A special group of scientists was formed, called the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team. Their job was to find ways to manage the forests. They had to make sure the plan followed important laws like the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act.

Main Goals of the Plan

The Northwest Forest Plan has five main goals to help protect the environment and support communities:

• Remember the people and money involved in these issues.
• Keep forests, wildlife, and waterways healthy for a long time.
• Use strategies that are based on good science and are good for nature.
• Allow a steady and sustainable amount of timber and other forest products.
• Make sure that all the federal agencies work together as a team.

Protecting Wildlife Habitat

The plan was first created to protect the homes (called habitat) of the northern spotted owl. But it quickly grew to protect many other animals and their habitats too. The plan is still in effect today and is meant to last for 100 years!

The northern spotted owl's numbers were going down because its main home, the old-growth forests, were disappearing. Not only was logging a problem, but another type of owl, the barred owl, also started competing with the spotted owl for food and space. The barred owl is an invasive species, meaning it's not originally from this area.

Today, only a small part of the original old-growth forests are left in Washington and Oregon. The plan has changed its focus. Instead of just logging for money, it now focuses on saving and protecting natural areas. This includes keeping rivers and streams healthy for endangered fish.

How the Plan is Managed

The Northwest Forest Plan covers many different types of federal lands. Most of these are National Forests. But it also includes lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and even military bases. The United States Forest Service has a lot of power in making decisions about how these areas are managed.

The Northwest Forest Plan has been a bit controversial. It called for much less timber to be cut from National Forests. While the plan aims to protect older forests, it also helps make sure that younger trees are protected as they grow.