Wallowa-Whitman National Forest updates Baker City Watershed Fuels Management Project
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, July 19th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) The Baker City Watershed Fuels Management Project aims to reduce the threat of high-intensity wildfire across the municipal watershed, to protect water quality for the citizens of Baker City and to restore the health of the forest. Approximately 24,000 acres are proposed to be treated with prescribed burning, with 14,000 acres proposed for non-commercial thinning of trees under ten inches in diameter. Just under 3,000 acres are proposed for commercially thinning.
The Forest Service understands the urgency and importance of this project to the community.
The preliminary environmental assessment was released for a 30-day public comment on March 9th, 2024 and can still be accessed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/wallowa-whitman/?project=58480
Current Status
· The forest is currently analyzing comments received during the public comment period.
· Consultation with regulatory agencies regarding threatened and endangered species is ongoing.
· Internal briefings with regional and Washington office staff are being completed.
· A final environmental assessment is anticipated to be released in August which would mark the beginning of the formal objection process.
· The forest is still anticipating a final decision on the project late fall of 2024.
We are working with city managers, local partners, and the community to clearly share the timelines.
Questions regarding this project can be directed to Adrian Cuzick at: adrian.cuzick@usda.gov
