SALEM, Oregon — The Oregon Department of Forestry is moving forward with a controversial new Habitat Conservation Plan. The plan is meant to help endangered species by protecting almost 700,000 acres of state forest land from logging over the next 70 years. The decision comes after a series of lawsuits were filed against the state, claiming that Oregon violated the federal Endangered Species Act by destroying vital habitats when parcels of state forest land were sold for logging. …The Oregon Board of Forestry voted 4-3 in favor of the plan. …However, many in the timber industry argue that the forest plan takes away a vital supply of wood and will result in jobs lost. “It’s a sad day for Oregon,” said Chris Edwards, president of the Oregon Forest Industries Council.