(1) The forest lands within the County are of significant economic importance to its citizens. Forests are a renewable resource providing abundant building and energy materials. They are a significant value not only to the County but to the State and the nation. The County has lost significant tax revenues due to changing global economic conditions and environmental regulations. This reduction in revenue has led to significant budget reductions and cuts in public services.

(2) Pressures on Forest Lands. County forest lands are being permanently and irreversibly lost through conversion to other uses such as residential development. When forest lands are converted to other uses, important forest functions are impaired. Impervious surfaces accelerate runoff and erosion, degrading water quality and fish habitat. Wildlife habitat is lost, as are wildlife corridors. Development of converted forest land requires that County services must be provided, sometimes in areas distant from population centers. Forest lands that stay in production support family wage jobs in our community. It is the task of this Plan to provide the policy framework necessary to protect our remaining forest lands from conversion to other uses, through regulations and incentives to landowners.

State and federal initiatives have mandated harvest restrictions for habitat protection of endangered species. But forest lands are not lost because of restrictions that last a few years or even a few decades – the other functions of forested land are still operational, and these have their own economic significance. The upper reaches of all of our watersheds are covered in forest, which reduces soil erosion and shades streams, protecting our water supply and our rivers’ anadromous fish spawning grounds. Not only do forests engage in large-scale oxygen production, they also filter pollutants from air. Forests also provide for aquifer recharge, and they offer aesthetic values and open space as well as opportunities for a range of dispersed recreational activities, from hunting and fishing to hiking and nature study.

(3) Multiple Use of Forest Land. Several other industries in Clallam County share the forest products industries’ dependency on timber land. Our forests, with their rivers, streams and spectacular views, contribute significantly to tourism. The wildlife habitat provided by these forests support populations of game animals which further contribute to tourism, sport and subsistence hunting. Forests in our watersheds guard against soil erosion, protecting our water supplies and our rivers’ anadromous fish spawning grounds. Anadromous fish support commercial and sport fisheries. Forest lands provide for aquifer recharge and protect important habitat for non-game wildlife species. Forest lands provide open space as well as opportunities for a range of scattered recreational activities, from hunting and fishing to hiking and nature study. Our proximity to the population centers of Puget Sound creates a significant market in the County for summer homes, cottages and weekend residences. In addition, the forests provide an aesthetic backdrop, attracting persons desiring permanent residences in a wooded rural environment. Our forests can accommodate a variety of economic and recreation uses if wise and judicious management policies are fostered.

(4) Residential Development and Forest Land Management. Long-term commercial timber production can best be realized on parcels 80 acres and larger in size. Parcels this size devoted to growing trees should be considered as capable of being economically and practically managed for such production. Owners of land between 20 and 80 acres in size can realize long-term timber production, but would likely require a residential development component in order to achieve economic and practical use of the parcel. Owners of land under 20 acres tend to favor dwelling-related uses and interest in using the land for long-term timber yield is minimized.

(5) Essential Public Facilities in Forest Lands. Essential public facilities are public capital facilities of a County-wide or State-wide nature which are typically difficult to site. Essential public facilities may be sited in commercial forest lands when suitable sites cannot be located within existing urban growth areas or rural areas to minimize land use conflicts.

(6) Industrial Uses in Forest Lands. Industrial uses which support timber harvesting and timber management activities may wish to locate in the commercial forest areas. Industrial land uses which support timber management activities include log storage and log shipping, equipment shops and storage areas, shake and shingle operations, lumber mills and wood products manufacturing, mineral extraction, and rock crushing. These land uses could also be considered incompatible with commercial forested areas if proper mitigation for impacts to the transportation network and fire protection are not taken.

(7) Master Planned Resorts. A master planned resort, with a primary focus on destination resort facilities consisting of short-term visitor accommodations and indoor or outdoor recreational facilities could be proposed within Clallam County. A master planned resort will require a setting of significant natural amenities. Few, if any, areas with large acreage and significant natural amenities exist that have not been designated as commercial forest lands.