KIRO 7—Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will pause timber harvesting in some forests for six months. DNR said the pause was necessary to use advanced technology that would map and provide a better understanding of the forests they manage. The pause will ensure that the DNR follows its policy of conserving 10 to 15% of complex forest areas.
DNR cites the critical importance of older forests because of the carbon they store which plays an important part in climate change. This pause will be used to establish criteria to protect older forests while maintaining an appropriate level of harvesting needed for home, hospital, and school construction.