Save Tiger Mountain: Cancel the South Paw Timber Sale

We urge the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Commissioner Dave Upthegrove to cancel the South Paw Timber Sale before its rescheduled auction in January 2026. In 2023, public outcry and objections from the Snoqualmie Tribe succeeded in pausing this timber sale. Now, despite those objections, the sale has been rescheduled for approval in December 2025 (with auction in January 2026). This forest must be protected — not parceled off for logging.

The South Paw parcel on Tiger Mountain would log 96 acres of structurally complex, mixed-conifer and hardwood forest that supports a rich mosaic of habitat types. Here’s what makes it ecologically meaningful:

• Multi-layered canopy & understory
  The forest contains multiple strata — tall conifers overhead, a midstory of younger trees and shrubs, and a rich understory of ferns, mosses, fungi, and herbaceous plants. That vertical complexity supports species with different light, moisture, and shelter needs.
• Dead wood, snags, and coarse woody debris
  Mature forests naturally accumulate standing dead trees (snags), fallen logs, decaying wood, and cavities. These structural features are critical habitat for cavity-nesting birds, small mammals, bats, amphibians, invertebrates, and fungi. Their loss simplifies the ecosystem and erodes biodiversity. 
• Connectivity to intact forest and species movement
  South Paw sits adjacent to larger, intact forest patches on Tiger Mountain, making it part of a larger habitat network. Removing or fragmenting it reduces connectivity, isolates wildlife populations, and degrades resilience to climate change, invasive species, and forest stressors.
• Salmon, water, and ecosystem services
  As part of the forested watershed on Tiger Mountain, South Paw helps regulate water flow, filter sediments and pollutants, stabilize soils, and cool streams. Healthy forests are nature’s infrastructure for clean water and stable hydrology.
• Carbon storage & climate mitigation
  Mature and legacy forests store large amounts of carbon in wood, roots, and soils. When these forests are cut or disturbed, much of that carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Preserving them helps mitigate climate change.
• Species richness & rare species dependency
  Older, structurally complex forests harbor species that cannot thrive in young, uniform plantations. Many fungi, lichens, mosses, invertebrates, and understory plants — as well as birds and mammals — depend on old-forest conditions, including stable microclimates, moist leaf litter, coarse woody decay, and minimal disturbance.
• Cultural & aesthetic value
  This forest is part of the ancestral lands of the Snoqualmie Tribe. It holds spiritual and cultural significance, supports traditional ecological practices, and connects people to nature. At the same time, forests like this define the landscapes beloved by hikers, photographers, birders, and all who enjoy wild places. As one writer put it: “that damp, mossy, fern-filled forest … light plays on the fern leaves between dewy evergreen branches.” - Issaquah Alps Trails Club

Tiger Mountain is not some distant wilderness — it is an accessible, heavily used public forest. More than a million people visit it annually to hike, ride, birdwatch, hunt mushrooms, ride horses, and simply be in nature. South Paw is part of the southern entrance to the Tiger Mountain trail network, serving local residents and recreationists alike.

At the time of writing (10/5/2025), there was no signage at the South Paw trailhead warning the public about the renewed timber sale. Many users and neighbors may be unaware of the looming threat. If this forest matters to you — whether as a hiker, nature-lover, local resident, or someone who cares about climate, clean water, or biodiversity — your voice is needed now.

What You Can Do — A Four-Step Plan

1. Sign this petition
   Every additional signature shows decision-makers that there is strong public support for preserving South Paw.
2. Share it widely
   Post on social media, send it to hiking groups, birding clubs, neighborhood associations, and your friends. Ask them to sign and pass it on.
3. Contact Commissioner Dave Upthegrove at cpl@dnr.wa.gov - sending a personal message goes a long way. In your message, mention that the sale was paused in 2023 after objections and that rescheduling it now ignores public input and backtracks on his campaign commitment to protect legacy forests.
4. Stay informed & engaged
   Reach out to your county council member and sign up to testify at the Board of Natural Resources meetings which are scheduled on the first Tuesday of every month- this is the board that could approve the South Paw timber sale: https://dnr.wa.gov/dnr-boards-and-commissions/board-natural-resources

FAQ

Q: Where exactly is the South Paw Timber Sale?
A: The sale targets about 90–96 acres on South Tiger Mountain. The closest trailhead is off Tiger Mountain Road SE, near Mirrormont.

Q: Will this petition really make a difference?
A: Yes — collective public pressure matters. The 2023 pause was evidence that objections can influence DNR decisions. But to stop the sale permanently, we need overwhelming public input, direct appeals to decision-makers, and a clear demonstration that the public values this forest more than its timber revenue.