The years 1945 to 1970 mark an era of intensive forestry and forest management . This era included dramatic increases in recreation use , timber sales , dam construction , campground construction , and wildlife management . Mining claims were looked at much more critically . Grazing on the national forest was reduced and then virtually discontinued during this era . In 1962 , the Columbus Day Storm downed an estimated of timber and created many log jams on the rivers . Two years later , in 1964 , the Christmas week flood hit the Willamette hard . Six campgrounds were fully destroyed , and seven more were damaged . Roads , bridges , and culverts were also lost . The passage of the Wilderness Act earlier that year created new wilderness areas and controversy over the management for the new areas . This era also marked the establishment and growth of an activist environmental movement . The movement is best known for the controversy surrounding the French Pete addition to the Three Sisters Wilderness
Christmas week flood
Christmas flood of 1964
Willamette National Forest