Please take a minute to send a pre-written email to your WA elected officials. This email will ask them to sign a letter to Commissioner Franz demanding that she stop the “Power Plant” timber sale.

A grassroots coalition of people and non-profit organizations has launched the Elwha Legacy Forests campaign to protect the Elwha River Watershed from extractive logging. A critical 126 acre stretch of Forest called "Power Plant" timber sale, bordering the Olympic Adventure Trail and trail to the Elwha Dam removal site, is under imminent threat. “Power Plant” is a diverse mix of 100 year old Douglas-fir and cedar, with a naturally regenerated understory, making it a unique habitat.  

In April of this year, Port Angeles City council expressed concerns that logging of this forest compromises efforts to restore endangered salmon habitat; threatens other endangered and recovering species; destroys essential carbon sinks; and threatens the City's sole drinking water source.

Despite the community outrage, and 2 letters from the City of Port Angeles requesting that Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR)pause this timber sale, DNR recently auctioned “Power Plant” to the highest bidder. Logging activity could begin soon unless Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz cancels the Power Plant sale. Hilary is running for Governor of Washington and political pressure will help her make the right decision.

Our coalition is already working on solutions. DNR sells timber to generate revenue for beneficiaries, like counties, schools, libraries, and fire districts. The revenue from "Power Plant" to these beneficiaries is $459,200. DNR shouldn't be logging in this area at all. But, if we offer DNR this money, it has no excuse to log. That’s why this win-win idea – which gave birth to the Elwha Forest Fund – is gaining traction. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking action.