Austin Project aims to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk

JOHN DAY(Released from Malheur National Forest)-The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is initiating public scoping for the Austin Project, a large-scale forest and watershed restoration effort proposed on 78,200 acres in the Malheur and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. The project is designed to reduce wildfire risk, improve water quality, and restore habitat across a high-priority landscape in eastern Oregon. 

A revised Notice of Intent has been published in the Federal Register, launching a 30-day public comment period. This marks the formal start of the Environmental Impact Statement process, during which the public can identify issues and suggest alternatives. 

Proposed activities include thinning overstocked forests, applying prescribed fire, restoring aquatic habitat, and upgrading road systems to reduce erosion and improve access. These actions aim to improve forest structure, protect water resources, and increase the landscape’s resilience to climate stressors and wildfires. 

The Forest Service is also considering the use of an Emergency Action Determination. If granted, this emergency authority will expedite implementation of the project in response to urgent ecological and wildfire risks. 

The project area lies approximately nine miles northeast of Prairie City, Oregon, and encompasses portions of the Blue Mountain and Prairie City Ranger Districts, as well as a section of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. This region includes critical habitat for fish and wildlife, culturally important resources, and essential headwaters for downstream communities. 

For more details and to submit comments, visit the Austin project webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/malheur/projects/53678. 

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Elkhorn Media Group