The Wild Olympics Campaign to add private lands to federal wilderness protection could cost Clallam and Jefferson counties as many as 72 jobs in the forest industry, according to an economic report released at Monday’s Port of Port Angeles commissioners’ meeting. If the plan by an environmental coalition based in Seattle were fully implemented, losses could be as much as $3.5 million in wages, said Dan Underwood, who teaches economics and environmental science at Peninsula College.

The Wild Olympics Campaign proposes a long-term series of purchases that could add 37,000 acres — mainly on the West End — to Olympic National Park, 450 miles of wild and scenic-designated rivers and 134,000 acres of other wilderness additions to the Olympic Peninsula. According to the plan, parcels of land purchased under a “willing seller” agreement over the next 40 years could become additions to Olympic National Park and other wilderness designations with the approval of Congress. Wild Olympics leadership is currently working to draft a bill to present to Congress for consideration.

The port commissioners have stated that they will not support any plan that will cost jobs in the region.