Oregon Board of Forestry Approves 50-Year Private Forest Accord Habitat Conservation Rules

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Board of Forestry voted unanimously to adopt final administrative rules implementing the Private Forest Accord (PFA) Habitat Conservation Plan, establishing binding environmental standards governing timber harvest operations across 10 million acres of private forestlands.

Historic Compromise Between Timber Harvesters and Conservationists

The enacted regulations require timber operators to establish 50-to-100-foot no-cut riparian buffers along fish-bearing streams, implement engineered road maintenance standards to prevent sediment runoff, and preserve steep-slope forest patches to prevent landslides. In exchange, the federal government issues a 50-year programmatic incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act, providing long-term regulatory certainty for Oregon’s multi-billion dollar private timber sector.

Governor Tina Kotek praised the historic agreement, stating that Oregon is proving that environmental conservation and a thriving timber economy can go hand in hand.

Oregon Forest Industries and Environmental Coalitions Endorse

The Oregon Forest Industries Council (OFIC) praised the 50-year regulatory stability, securing family-wage forestry jobs in rural counties.

Wild Salmon Center and conservation partners praised the riparian buffers for cooling stream water temperatures critical for coho and steelhead recovery.

Rule Enforcement Date

The Private Forest Accord regulations take full legal effect across all private timber harvest plans on January 1, 2027.