The U.S. Forest Service is considering a rule change on six national forests in eastern Oregon and Washington that would allow the harvesting of trees with a diameter of greater than 21 in.—a change that would end a long-standing provision in the region. Dating back to the 1990s as the Forest Service shifted its priorities from timber management and production to “ecosystem management”, the rule has come under scrutiny as stands become overcrowded and pose a greater risk to wildfire.
