Although timber practices are now changing for the better and public land managers are now protecting more areas for natural, non-consumptive uses including wilderness, wildlife, fisheries and water quality, the salmon will be affected by past forest practices for many decades, said Reeves. But notwithstanding past problems, the healthiest remaining habitat for salmon is in some forested areas, said Jim Martin, an assistant director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The forest industry, from large corporations to small-woodlot owners, has faced many changes because of regulations established to protect natural resources. Environmental laws, such as the Oregon Forest Practices Act on state and private lands and the Northwest Forest Plan on westside federal timber lands, are changing forestry practices. Buffer strips of trees must be left along most year-round streams to provide shade and a source of wood.
Reforestation is required.
Culverts are better designed to allow fish to pass, and road construction standards are much stricter. Fish and wildlife habitat must be protected in certain areas. On federal lands, watershed reserves have been set aside to help threatened species such as spotted owls and marbled murrelets, and these areas also help salmon. We have supported significant increases in the level of regulation over time. And we have complied, as long as the regulations are based upon science and newly learned information.