Sustainable timber harvests from state-managed working forests generate funding for schools and public services without raising our taxes. They also support jobs in our communities.

These forests work for all of us. But the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants to shut down thousands of acres of these working forests, and instead sell carbon offsets and other “ecosystem services” on unregulated markets for up to 125 years.

They’re asking the Washington Legislature’s approval to push this carbon offset scheme that allows polluters to keep polluting at the expense of our communities. The DNR has introduced SB 5688 that lets them sell carbon offsets, which are expected to provide just a fraction of the revenue generated by sustainable timber harvests while requiring us to import more wood products from other countries and substitute less-environmentally friendly building products.

This bad bill is scheduled for a hearing at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 10 in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. Your voice is needed!

Help us send a strong message to the committee by registering your official opposition. Simply click the button below, select “Con” under the Position menu, enter the required information and click Submit!

In addition to supporting jobs and public services, these working forests provide recreation, wildlife habitat, clean water and more, and are managed under the strictest environmental laws and regulations in the world.

SB 5688 gives the DNR an unlimited free pass to sell these “carbon offsets” without the approval of state trust land beneficiaries, without oversight by the Board of Natural Resources, and without reviewing the environmental, socioeconomic, and fiscal impacts on public services.

Please help us send a strong message to the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. Register your official opposition before Feb. 10 at 7:00 a.m. to make sure your voice is heard.