December 2007 Storms in the Pacific Northwest

In December 2007, a series of snow, wind and rainstorms battered western Oregon and Washington, causing severe flooding and wind damage. Landslides occurred, roads and bridges were washed out, and homes were flooded.

Some of the heaviest rain fell on watersheds located within Weyerhaeuser managed forests in Washington. For example, Stillman Creek and the adjoining hills received between 16 and 20 inches of rain during a 48-hour period, or nearly half the amount of rain the nearby city of Chehalis typically receives in a year. U.S. Geological Survey researchers called the storm a “500-year event.” Wind from the storm also blew down thousands of acres of trees in forests owned by Weyerhaeuser, the state of Washington and other land owners.

The storm renewed interest in whether harvesting on steep slopes exacerbates landslides and flooding, and whether existing regulations that govern such harvesting are adequate.

Regulations in Washington and Oregon limit logging and road construction on potentially unstable slopes. For example, the Stillman Creek watershed was assessed for slope stability concerns through a comprehensive watershed analysis program. Additionally, professional geologists review individual harvest units containing potentially unstable slopes. Over the last 10 years, Weyerhaeuser has conducted more than 750 geological reviews and established more than 1,000 leave areas. Once all the technical analysis is completed, a proposed forest practice operations plan is then reviewed and approved by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

In response to the storm, Weyerhaeuser has initiated a review of our geological assessment process. Through our study—combined with separate assessments launched by the Washington Forest Practices Board and the Washington Department of Natural Resources—we will identify any adjustments we need to make to our forest management and road construction practices.