Forest Service issues 2026 timeline for Baker Watershed Treatment Project
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, January 29th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (WWNF) staff have mapped out their plans to treat and protect the Baker City Watershed, starting with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis to outline potential treatments. The Baker City Watershed Project is a top priority for the Forest for many reasons, including that this essential area supplies Baker with its drinking water. In a recent public meeting, WWNF Forest Supervisor, Shaun McKinney, shared a tentative timeline that the Baker City Watershed draft NEPA would be available in Spring. However, due to the challenges of the NEPA process and accessing the areas needing treatment, it should be available by early summer.
Forest planners will present the early summer draft NEPA to the public for comment, followed by a NEPA-approved final draft in the Fall of this year. With this timeline, it is anticipated that timber sales, overstock stand thinning, and prescription burning will start in 2026. This projected timeline is predominantly based on the time required for legal clearance through NEPA and the complexity of accessing the project area through private roads while ensuring respect for local heritage.
“A project of this scale, in such a critical area, and in such close coordination with our partners takes time,” said McKinney. “The complexity of accessing the area cannot be rushed or taken lightly; it must be done respectfully and correctly. We fully recognize and understand the importance and urgency of this project; we are making good strides forward and will have the draft NEPA decision out soon.”
The watershed is about 10,000 acres, located 6 miles west of Baker. Approximately 160 acres are owned by the city of Baker; the rest is part of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The watershed is on the steep eastern slope of the Elkhorn Ridge. It is surrounded by privately owned land, making access to the area difficult. The Baker City Watershed Project addresses the need to treat the area to minimize the potential for a large fire, the importance of the watershed to the people of Baker City, obstacles that will slow the project, and the expansive area that demands proper management.
“The objective of the project is to reduce the overall threat of high-intensity fire throughout the watershed and restore forest health,” said Roy Cuzick, the WWNF Silviculturist who has been working on the project.
Forest Service silviculture experts describe the watershed as an expansive range with several areas with overstocked stands that need treatment to create natural barriers that will, should a fire start, protect this valuable area and essential resources.
Follow this link for more information on how the Forest Service manages, conserves, and protects 193 million acres of watersheds nationwide.
