Logging Crisis in Washington State

In this logging controversy the protagonists are the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a national coalition of evenvironmental groups known as the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance (NEA).


Sense Making

Landslide risks and land use management are key issues in the Blanchard Mountain Logging Crisis. Blanchard Mountain is located on the edge of Whatcom and Skagit Counties in the northwestern corner of Washington State. Of the 4500 acres that constitute Blanchard Mountain the upper 3000 acres have not been logged for over 70 years (and never been clear cut).

NWEA seeks to preserve the upper 3000 acres. Removing these trees may significantly and increase the risk of landslides in populated areas. A landslide in this region could destroy homes, wildlife habitat, and and a vital transportation link between Whatcom County and Skagit County (Chuckanut Drive). The forest has large stands of trees that range in age from 50 to 200 years, and provide habitat for many species. It also provides an important wildlife cooridor connecting the North Cascade mountain range with the Salish Sea.

The Washington State DNR has a state mandate to log Blanchard Mountain (and other state school lands) with timber sale proceeds going to state and local (Skagit County) school districts. The NWEA contends that Blanchard Mountain represents a unique environment and that clear cutting on its steep slopes would create a landslide hazard that would threaten homes, lives, an active salmon spawning stream (Oyster Creek).

Decision Making

The DNR and the NWEA convened to negotiate a consensus agreement for the fate of Blanchard Mountain. Eventually, a compromise agreement was reached in 2007. We will model the crisis as of Spring of 2006.

Northwest Ecosystem Alliance (NEA) and the Washington State DNR have the options of negotiating or not negotiating. By not negotiating the parties run the risk of not meeting any of their objectives. Bargaining and negotiation models will be used to model the strategic interactions of the stakeholders.

References
Boin , A., t'Hart, P., Stern, E. and Sundelius, B. The Politics of Crisis Management: Public Leadership under Pressure. First edition. Cambridge University Press, 2005.