Willamette National Forest
| Willamette National Forest | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
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The Breitenbush River in Willamette National Forest
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| Location | Oregon, USA |
| Nearest city |
Eugene, Oregon Salem, Oregon Oakridge, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°13′21″N 122°15′15″W / 43.22250°N 122.25417°WCoordinates: 43°13′21″N 122°15′15″W / 43.22250°N 122.25417°W |
| Area | 1,678,031 acres (6,790.75 km2) |
| Established | July 1, 1933 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
| Website | Willamette National Forest |
The Willamette National Forest is a National Forest located in the central portion of the Cascade Range of the U.S. state of Oregon. It comprises 1,678,031 acres (6,790.75 km2), making it one of the largest national forests. Over 380,000 acres (694 mi2, 1,540 km2) are designated wilderness which include seven major mountain peaks. There are also several National Wild and Scenic Rivers within the forest. The forest is named for the Willamette River, which has its headwaters in the forest. The forest headquarters are located in the city of Eugene. There are local ranger district offices in McKenzie Bridge, Mill City, Detroit, Sweet Home, and Westfir.
The forest is famous for being at the center of the controversy between the logging industry and the endangered species status of the northern spotted owl. Environmentalists maintain that the forest was aggressively clear-cut for many years threatening a federally listed endangered species. The timber industry contends that the forest can simultaneously provide lumber jobs and wildlife habitat. Since April 1994, the forest is governed by the Northwest Forest Plan, which restricts, but does not eliminate, logging in potential spotted owl habitat. Despite protest, the forest is still heavily logged and a drive through the region shows many recent clear-cuts.
The forest stretches for over 100 miles (160 km) along the western slopes of the Cascade Range in Western Oregon. It extends from the Mount Jefferson area east of Salem to the Calapooya Ridge which divides the watersheds of the Willamette and Umpqua rivers. Most of the forest (about 61%) is located in Lane County, but there are large areas in Linn, Marion, and Douglas counties, as well as much smaller areas in Clackamas and Jefferson counties.
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