Blockade Against Mature Forest Logging Enters Third Day, Community Rallies in Support

Action report on ongoing blockade in Port Angeles, WA, in protest of clearcut logging in the Elwha Watershed. Originally posted to social media, here.

Port Angeles, WA— The blockade to halt the clearcut logging of one of the last low-elevation mature forests in the Elwha Watershed has entered into its third day, with growing community support. Late yesterday afternoon, dozens risked arrestand marched past the police closure blocking access to the tree sit, and rallied in support of the forest defender camped in the canopy.

The timber sale, known as “Parched”, is currently under litigation by the Earth Law Center and Legacy Forest Defense Coalition. A petition—started by members of the Lower Elwha Kallam Tribe urging that the watershed be protected—has been signed by over half of tribal members, as well as being widely supported by local residents, and has garnered over 7,000 total signatures.

In response to the protest, Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove has stationed law enforcement at the base of the tree and closed massive swaths of public Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lands, disrupting recreation.

“It is hard to believe that Upthegrove, someone who ran for office on a platform of protecting public forest lands, is digging in his heels on mature forest logging and taking a cue from the Trump Administration and siccing law enforcement on peaceful protestors,” said Daniel Johnson, one of the organizers with the group. “This isn’t a difficult decision – Upthegrove can keep his campaign promises, cancel the Parched timber sale and protect mature forests on public lands and we will end this blockade. Or he can double down on repressing free speech and logging mature forest, and these protests will only grow.”

Protesters argue that the DNR’s logging practices not only undermine the state’s own investments, but also violate public trust, prioritizing short-term profits over long-term values.

“As the climate crisis progresses, Washington’s carbon rich forests are a critical natural climate solution, and must be protected at all costs,” said Reggie Miller, another organizer of the protest. “These ecosystems provide a myriad of benefits from providing habitat for endangered species to protecting our drinking water. The only responsible thing that we can do is to defend them.”

A Clallam County Judge issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday in response to a request by the groups in the lawsuit, temporarily pausing the logging until an injunction can be heard later this month. Community members have vowed to keep the blockade going until the sale is permanently protected, and have highlighted that the restraining order could be lifted at any moment.

This century-old forest, located on the Olympic Peninsula, is part of the ancestral lands of the Klallam people, and the sale has been the subject of increasing public outcry.The forest was auctioned last year by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and purchased by the Murphy Company, an Oregon-based timber firm.

Having never been logged by machinery, this 100-year-old forest is home to Douglas fir, grand fir and western red cedar, and is developing old-growth characteristics essential to endangered species like the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet. An imperiled flower, whipplea modesta, also makes its home here.

To prevent logging of this critical habitat, forest defenders placed large debris in the middle of the road. This debris is attached to a climber who is suspended above on a “dunk-tank” platform in a large tree. If authorities attempt to remove the road debris, the platform will drop, risking a 100-foot fall for the climber.

A licensed independent engineering geologist, Glen G. Wade, reviewed the landscape during the SEPA review noting that logging would increase runoff in an area already threatened by deep-seated landslides “posing direct risks to nearby residences, Little River Road, and the Little River itself.” Additional concerns have been raised about impact of logging on fragile salmon runs. “Parched” and other DNR sales are very near the site of the recently removed dam, where state and federal governments invested more than $338 million in river and salmon restoration.

Since 2022, Port Angeles City Council has raised serious concerns about logging the Elwha River watershed, as it is the sole source of drinking water for Port Angeles. The city claims their efforts for collaboration and dialogue with the DNR have been resisted or outright denied.

The forest defenders, on the other hand, refuse to be denied.

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Red Breasted Nuthatch, the tree-sitter, who is using an alias to protect their identity. “Our new lands commissioner, Dave Upthegrove, promised to protect mature forests; we are here to help him keep his promise.”

Demands of the Blockade:

• Immediate cancellation of the “Parched” Timber Sale.
• A pause on all logging in the Elwha watershed
• A permanent ban on logging the remaining mature forests in western Washington.

Community Solidarity: The blockade has received support from tribal members, conservation groups, and local outdoor enthusiasts. Financial support for the action can be directed to this gofundme page, and a rally is planned for Noon on Saturday, May 10 at the gate of the logging road on Walkabout Way in Port Angeles.