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Cowlitz County residents, commissioners debate proposed forest-practices buffer increases

Cowlitz County Board of County Commissioners · November 4, 2025
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Summary

Commissioners and members of the public discussed a Department of Ecology-backed Forest Practices Board proposal to increase riparian buffers from about 50 to 75 feet, with county officials noting the county lacks representation on the board and residents calling the rule a "land grab."

Chairman Dahl opened discussion of a proposed Forest Practices Board rule to increase riparian buffers, reading a Department of Ecology analysis that the change "would substantially improve water quality for nonfish bearing perennial streams" and saying he expected the board to vote for the rule.

The proposal, which would expand buffer widths from roughly 50 to 75 feet for some streams, drew sustained public comment. Resident comments included concerns that the rule extends beyond salmon-bearing streams and amounts to a "land grab." As one speaker said, "you gotta be very careful when you give authority to government agencies to do them because they never they never stop. It just keeps morphing into more and more and more." Another commenter described the proposal as social engineering and argued local landowners would be affected despite the water not currently exceeding temperature thresholds the state sets.

County staff did not present a formal recommendation in the meeting; the board discussion focused on the Department of Ecology's analysis and the fact that Cowlitz County had not yet secured an appointed representative to the Forest Practices Board. Chairman Dahl noted the board vote was scheduled soon and that the county "is not gonna have a say" on the outcome if a county representative is not appointed.

The remarks were part of public comment and agenda announcements; no motion or formal action to oppose or endorse the rule was recorded on the meeting agenda.