Wyden bill would regulate logging on national forests in Oregon to protect old growth

Wyden introduces Oregon old growth forest bill

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Sen. Ron Wyden is preparing to introduce his long-awaited bill balancing protection for old growth forests in Oregon with restoring unhealthy forests and creating timber jobs.

The Oregon Democrat has a press conference scheduled for Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Wyden will be joined in the announcement by representatives of environmental groups and the timber industry, who have long been adversaries in bitter political and court battles over logging.

Details of the bill have yet to be released, but a statement from Wyden’s office says it would protect old growth, create jobs and restore healthy forests on national forests east of the Cascade Range.