PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners want Washington’s Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove to give the green light to all paused timber sales in the county, saying the money is badly needed for local services.
In a letter approved Tuesday, the board thanked Upthegrove for recently moving most of the sales forward but pointed out what’s still on the line: about $300,000 for Olympic Medical Center, nearly $1 million for fire districts, $300,000 for the North Olympic Library System, $750,000 for county roads, and $650,000 for the county’s general fund, which is already staring at a $3 million deficit next year.
Commissioners said the sales meet all state environmental standards — from the Forest Practices Act to the Habitat Conservation Plan — and fit the Department of Natural Resources’ own policies on old growth protection and sustainable harvest. They also stressed how critical a steady timber supply is for North Olympic Peninsula mills, which support some of the county’s highest-paying jobs.
Looking ahead, the board urged state leaders to keep timber counties at the table when decisions are made, and to strike a balance between environmental priorities and the fiduciary responsibilities that local communities depend on.