Logging likely to restart on 140 acres in Yacolt Burn after injunction denied

Logging on remote forestland in northeast Clark County will likely resume now that Legacy Forest Defense Coalition and Friends of Clark County’s motion for a preliminary injunction has been denied.

In his Friday ruling, Clark County Superior Court Judge Derek Vanderwood said Legacy Forest Defense Coalition failed to prove that it would likely prevail in its motion for a permanent injunction.

“Given the appellants’ burden and the applicable standard of review, the appellants have failed to demonstrate likelihood of success on the merits,” Vanderwood said in the ruling.

Friday’s ruling also vacates a temporary restraining order Vanderwood previously approved in February.

Residents in the area, along with environmental groups, began sounding the alarm about the upcoming timber harvest in August after the state announced it would auction off five parcels totaling 140-acres within the historic Yacolt Burn area, collectively known as the Dabbler sale.

In its suit against the state Department of Natural Resources, Legacy Forest Defense Coalition said the auction area contained old-growth trees and prime spotted owl habitat.

Attorneys for the environmental group argued in court that the state has yet to meet its target for preserving spotted owl habitat and shouldn’t sacrifice the forested area in exchange for a limited amount of timber revenue.

The coalition has not yet said whether it will still move forward with seeking a permanent injunction.