Adopted in 1994, the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) governs 24.5 million acres of federally managed land across Washington, Oregon, and California — encompassing 17 National Forests, 7 BLM districts, and 6 National Parks. The Plan was designed to protect old-growth forests, aquatic ecosystems, and exceptional biodiversity while supporting rural economies through balanced timber harvesting and recreation. A formal amendment process launched in 2023 to modernize the Plan and address climate change, wildfire resilience, mature forest conservation, and Tribal co-stewardship. The current administration is expected to redirect the amendment toward expanded commercial timber harvesting and reduced old-growth protections — threatening ecosystems that represent some of the most carbon-dense and biodiverse forests outside the tropics.
These policy shifts come alongside a 16% reduction in Forest Service staff, restructured decision-making to distant regional hubs, and ongoing proposals to weaken the Roadless Rule and other long-standing protections. The consequences for outdoor recreation — now generating over $33 billion annually in Washington alone and far outpacing timber as an economic driver — are significant. Communities that depend on public lands could face trail and campground closures, reduced maintenance, diminished access to roadless areas, and ecological damage.
As a watchdog organization with deep community roots, MVCC has built a reputation for distilling complex policy issues and convening constructive dialogue across diverse stakeholders. MVCC is engaged in a regional coalition — including The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, Conservation Northwest, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, and Cascade Forest Conservancy — working to ensure a climate-smart update to the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP).
MVCC’s 2026–2027 strategy centers on four objectives: driving broad public participation in the amendment process; advocating for science-based, climate-resilient forest management; defending public lands protections against federal rollbacks; and expanding community communications and engagement. The coalition will prioritize rural outreach, elevation of Tribal voices and Indigenous priorities, business community engagement, and coordinated advocacy across the Pacific Northwest. Science forums, in-person coalition strategy sessions, and digital communications campaigns will all play a role in building and demonstrating public support.
