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Clark County residents and council press DNR over 'Dendrophobia' timber sale; council directs staff to resend pause request
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Summary
A Clark County resident urged the council to seek a pause on the DNR's "Dendrophobia" timber sale after a SEPA determination of non-significance; councilors instructed staff to update and resend a previously drafted letter asking for clarification about any pause and its scope.
Mary Goody, a member of Friends of Clark County, told the Clark County Council on Aug. 13 that the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) determination of non-significance for the "Dendrophobia" timber sale and that the SEPA comment period closes Aug. 14. She said the sale covers about 38 acres in the Larch Block, consists of three units (one variable-retention harvest and two right-of-way units), and would harvest approximately 2,233 MBF; the checklist was prepared Dec. 5, 2024, the auction is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026, and the contract would end in October 2027. Goody also identified downstream water bodies that could be affected and said the DNR listing highlights the mountain beaver and other species.
The issue received additional attention later in the meeting during the council's agenda item on policy updates. Councilors said the county has previously sent letters asking DNR for pauses and further discussion about older-growth forests and timber-sale swaps. One councilor noted confusion about which sales were paused and for how long and suggested resending the county's prior letter with updated language and the correct timber-sale name.
Why it matters: The Dendrophobia sale affects county forest lands held in trust, raises concerns about habitat and water impacts, and has a SEPA comment deadline that prompted immediate council action. Council direction could influence the county's formal position with DNR before the sale proceeds further in the agency's schedule.
Council direction and next steps: Council members asked staff to pull up the county's previous letter, update it to reference the Dendrophobia sale specifically, and resend it to DNR before the comment deadline. Staff said Jordan (staff) is on the DNR distribution list for timber-sale notices and that Michelle would help prepare the updated letter. Councilors also asked the letter to request clarification from DNR about which properties are covered by any pause and the expected duration of the pause, and to ask for improved direct communication from DNR to county staff when sales are proposed.
What speakers said (selected): Mary Goody, representing the Board of Friends of Clark County, said the SEPA checklist lists species including the mountain beaver and that the public-comment period closed the next day. A councilor asked staff to update and resend the county's prior letter to DNR and to confirm the timing of an upcoming DNR trust-land tour scheduled for Sept. 12.
Background: Council members said the county previously submitted letters asking DNR for further conversations about older-growth forest protections and timber-sale pauses. Councilors acknowledged that SEPA is an early step in the process and that auctions are scheduled months later. The council did not adopt a formal ordinance or resolution at the meeting but provided staff direction to update and resubmit the county's letter to DNR.
Ending: Staff committed to updating the letter and sending it; the council expects additional follow-up, including the planned DNR trust-land tour in September and any further communications from DNR about the scope and length of the pause on timber sales.
