DNR staff begin EIS process for East Side sustainable harvest calculation; board hears scope, constraints and next steps

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Department of Natural Resources on Feb. 18 told the Board of Natural Resources that it has initiated an environmental impact statement for the East Side sustainable harvest calculation after staff concluded the proposal may have probable significant environmental impacts.

At a study session, Sarah Ogden, assistant division manager for projects and planning, told the board the department issued a Determination of Significance under the State Environmental Policy Act and must prepare a draft and final EIS before the board may adopt a decadal sustainable harvest level. "Staff determined that the East Side sustainable harvest calculation have potential significant environmental impacts and elected to skip the checklist, issuing a determination of significance and thus initiating the environmental impact process," Ogden said.

Why it matters: State law and DNR policy require the agency and board to set a decadal sustainable harvest level that reflects current conditions and objectives. The EIS will analyze environmental impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures at the scale of sustainable-harvest units so the board can compare trade-offs among habitat protections, forest health and trust beneficiaries.

Statutory and policy context: Staff reviewed statutes including RCW 79.10.300 and related RCWs that direct the department to calculate and the board to adopt a sustainable harvest level and explained policy…