December 2, 2020 3:45 a.m.

A Coos Bay logging company was named the southwest Oregon operator of the year, while a Roseburg company was honored as well.

A release from the Oregon Department of Forestry said D & H Logging Company was given the honor. Weber Logging and Construction, Incorporated was recognized for a merit award. A merit award also went to Rocky Wardie Excavating of Rogue River.

The release said the Regional Forest Practices committees selects the operators of the year and merit award recipients from among nominees sent in by landowners, Oregon Department of Forestry staff and others. The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, protect natural resources at a level that goes above and beyond requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act. The release said that law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.

D & H Logging Company is run by three siblings who inherited the company from their parents. The release said the firm successfully harvested a unit using a difficult downhill logging method because steep rocky bluffs made the more traditional uphill yarding method too dangerous. It said crews did an excellent job minimizing disruption to traffic on the road below the harvest site and of protecting trees bordering a nearby salmon-bearing stream. They also worked to finish logging before the start of spring nesting season for three different bird species in the area. The award also recognizes the company for a history of consistently applying best management practices to safeguard forest resources, even under challenging circumstances.

Firms in northwest and eastern Oregon were honored as well. The Oregon Board of Forestry will honor the recipients virtually at its January 6th meeting.