In her race for Commissioner of Public Lands, Jamie Herrera Beutler is now taking a page from the man she voted to impeach: tell lies to drive folks to the polls.
Herrera recently asserted that cutting trees stores more carbon than letting them grow, that state’s older forests are “falling into disrepair” and likely to burn, and that we can clearcut our way to wildfire prevention.
These assertions are false, as outlined in a letter to Congress by 200 of the country’s top scientists.
In fact, forests sequester more carbon as they age, and older forests are more resilient against fire and other disturbances.
Some forests, especially east of the Cascades, might be healthier if thinned, but such thinning should target the smaller trees, not the bigger ones that the timber companies have their eyes on.
Herrera Beutler would green-light such heavy thinning, leaving only young trees, which are more prone to wildfire.
As for the 3 percent of the state’s portfolio comprised of forests between 75 and 150 years old, these are special forests best retained for their outstanding contributions to carbon sequestration, climate resiliency, and water and wildlife protection.
The state Legislature needs to devise a means for them to be permanently protected while the trust beneficiaries of these lands are kept whole in real time.
So, for healthier forests and rural communities, elect Dave Upthegrove for Commissioner of Public Lands, elect Democrats to the state Legislature who will promote forest-health legislation, and defeat I-2117 to retain the Climate Commitment Act.
Ed Chadd
Port Angeles