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Urban-forest Interface Challenges: Shadow Wood Logging Operation in Clackamas County

Explore the controversy surrounding a logging operation in an urban-forest interface area in Clackamas County. The operation generated public concerns regarding noise, wildlife habitat destruction, water runoff, and more. Despite public meetings where tensions ran high, valuable lessons were learned on the importance of proactive communication and stronger ties with governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in urban forestry.

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Urban-forest Interface Challenges: Shadow Wood Logging Operation in Clackamas County

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  1. “They’re logging in my back yard!”Shadow Wood/Johnson Road OperationClackamas County – Stafford “Triangle” AreaPresented by Mike Haasken-Stewardship/Urban Interface Forester-ODF, Molalla Unit • 2 Harvest Notifications, Sept. 2010, 1 operator, 2 landowners • Rural ; outside of UGB , within an “Urban Reserve”, operations rare in area • Outside of ODF Fire Protection District • Residential Development, “Shadow Wood” adjacent • Active operation Inspection w/ Operator near beginning of Operation & contact w/ landowners; LO met with homeowners and myself • Mixed species forest; 20+ year old escaped Christmas trees, horse pastured oak , Sequoia’s, hardwood stand, some DF Saw.; mostly pulp; infested with English ivy • Realized a “medium” potential for complaints; third similar operation in 5 years with many complaints

  2. Johnson Road

  3. View from Johnson Road Looking north from south end

  4. “Old Growth” English Ivy Ivy infested trees in Buffer

  5. Old drainage ditch along yard Ditch drains into Tualatin R.

  6. Public Complaint Issues • About 10 complaints/inquiries • Cutting all the trees down; allowed to do that? • Surprise; Lack of Public Notification; Subscription process • “Who yagonna call?” Multi-jurisdictions (DOA, Tualatin Valley RFD, County Planning • Noise from early morning operations • Destruction of Wildlife Habitat • Water Runoff • Windthrow • Small creek stopped flowing • Smoke from pile burning

  7. Public Meeting • Early March; Facilitated by Clackamas County Hamlet Liaison • ODF, ODA, DEQ, Clackamas County WES and Planning Dept. • Attended by about 75 people, mostly from Shadow Wood • Had rehearsed “talking points” with co-worker, but nothing written • Was basically “burned at the stake” • Remained calm even when accused of intentionally causing harm to homeowners sleeping child from falling tree in windstorm • Had no contact with newspaper reporter after meeting • Was criticized after newspaper articles for not supporting the FPA & mishandling the situation; was supported by ODF though

  8. Other Urban Interface Experiences • Personal relationships with G.O.’s and N.G.O’s where logging regularly occurs • County planners, CPO’s and HOA’s, City planners, local newspapers, Columbia Gorge Scenic area, ODFW, ODOT, DSL • “Urban” people have different values and mindsets than “rural” people who are accustomed to farming and forestry operations • Want “parklike” forests and RMA’s with non-native tree species, but native wildlife • Expect FPA to be as stringent as city ordinances or protections on Federal land • Example: Expected silt fence along the entire property boundary at Shadow wood to control surface runoff. • Expect more than a handful of wildlife species to receive protection

  9. Lessons Learned • Pro-active Communication; Subscription process • Continued Urban Forest Education Programs; TCUSA, etc. • Stronger ties with G.O’s and N.G.O’s During Development Harmon’s Crest before Development

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