Forest service asks for input on Summit Road project
By Terry Murry on Friday, October 25th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – (News release from the Umatilla National Forest) The Walla Walla Ranger District is seeking public input on the Summit Road Fuels Reduction Project. As a part of the input process, the district will host a field trip on Nov. 6, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The trip will begin at Andie’s Prairie Sno-Park, 14 miles West of Elgin along Highway 204.
The purpose of the field trip is to gather information from the public about specific issues and concerns they may have with active management in the project area. This information will be used by the Forest Service for the Summit Road Fuels Reduction Project development.
The Project falls within a high-risk fire shed identified for priority treatment by the Forest Service planning partners as part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy. This area regularly experiences lightning strikes during fire season, and wildfire transmission may place highly valued adjacent areas at risk such as residences, private forestlands, dedicated old growth forests, and wildlife habitats. This area was designated as one of the highest priority treatment areas in the nation due to the proximity to these at-risk values and the high likelihood of ignition endangering these values.
The current proposed project area is located approximately 9 miles West of Elgin, Oregon, and is approximately 13,500 acres and encompasses 14.6 miles of Forest Service Road 31 known as Summit Road. The road is a strategic control feature between the Hell Hole and Mt. Emily Roadless Areas and connects Highway 204 to Highway 84. Summit Road is the most effective feature in the area for controlling future large fire events.
Forest thinning and fuels reduction activities have been implemented both in the past and present near Summit Road. By improving forest health and further reducing fuels in this area, these efforts would be connected, thereby decreasing the risk to the at-risk values.
For additional information about the upcoming field trip, please contact Joseph Sciarrino, Project Lead, at joseph.sciarrino@usda.gov. To help plan for the field trip, please contact the Ranger District at (509) 522-6290 by Nov. 4. Let us know if you plan to attend or would be interested in a future open house to provide your input.
