Input sought on Malheur National Forest’s Upper Bear Lake Project
By Logan Bagett on Friday, April 5th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
PRAIRIE CITY – (The following is a press release from the Malheur National Forest)
The Prairie City Ranger District of the Malheur National Forest is conducting an analysis within the Prairie City and Blue Mountain Ranger Districts, about 20 miles southeast of Prairie City, Oregon, adjacent to the eastern-most portion of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. The Upper Bear Lake project is approximately 54,300 acres in size, and located in the Upper Bear Lake, Lake Creek, and Big Creek sub-watersheds of the Malheur River Watershed. The analysis includes vegetation, fuel, and road management activities. The proposed project would improve forest resiliency and reduce the risk of uncharacteristic disturbances. Proposed road activities would provide a road system that is safe, affordable, has minimal ecological impacts, and meets the immediate and projected long-term public and resource management needs. Overall, the project would provide social, economic, and environmental benefits from forest resources; and create jobs and opportunities for local communities. An environmental assessment should form the basis for a decision.
For more information about the proposed action, a scoping package can be obtained from the Prairie City District Office in Prairie City, Oregon or on the Malheur National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/malheur/?project=65008.
During this 30-day scoping phase of the NEPA process, we are seeking input, either verbal or written. We are interested in any site-specific issues, concerns, or opportunities you think should be considered in the development of this analysis.
Please submit your comments by April 19, 2024, to District Ranger Chase Bloom. Comments may be submitted online through the Forest Service online comment system available at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=65008. You can also mail comments to P.O. Box 337, 327 SW Front Street, Prairie City Oregon 97869. Thank you for your interest in the management of the Malheur National Forest
For additional information, contact Chase Bloom, Prairie City District Ranger by phone, 541-820-3800, or email, chase.bloom@usda.gov.
