The U-S Forest Service has dropped a ban on logging trees larger than 21 inches in diameter in Eastern Oregon Forests. Project Coordinator Emily Platt says the 21 inch ban was put in place in the early 90’sbut says the rule didn’t work. She says the rule does not require cutting large trees but the opportunity to consider it. Bend Ecologist George Wuerthner disagrees with lifting the 21 inch ban. He says large old trees are important to the forest ecosystem for everything from carbon storage to fish habitat. The logging industry is not fully on board with the 21 inch rule change…they say it doesn’t go far enough.