Field review on the Red Apple project

LA GRANDE – Public comment will be taken during a meeting on the Red Apple forest management project at the Mount Emily Recreation Area (MERA).  The meeting will take place at noon today (Wednesday, November 10, 2021) at the Owsley Canyon Trailhead.  This meeting is to review a potential sanitation/ salvage timber harvest and pre-commercial thinning and slash mastication that may take place beginning this winter. Temporary closure of portions of MERA will be necessary to ensure public safety.  The purpose of this treatment is to help improve forest health and reduce fire risk.  Members of the MERA advisory committee said that area needs to be managed, it’s been nearly 15 years since the Red Apple area has been last treated. The public is encouraged to attend.