Feedback invited during 30-day scoping and comment period
information released. Photo caption: Fire affected trees line a forest road in the Eightmile drainage. Even green trees in fire affected areas can have damage to their root systems that make them more susceptible to blow down. Photo by USDA Forest Service.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking public comments on a proposal to address roadside danger trees in fire affected areas across the forest. Recent wildfires have killed and weakened trees along many miles of forest roads, including approximately 170 miles that are currently closed due to safety concerns resulting from wildfire.
The roads proposed for treatment are in seven different fire areas: Diamond Creek, Mcleod, Cub Creek 2, Cedar Creek, Crescent Mountain, Twentyfive Mile, Schneider Springs, and Jolly Mountain. Treatments would be prioritized to address the most heavily used roads that are open to the public and the most fire-impacted trees. Implementation would start in areas where roads are currently closed and then move to other high-risk locations, based on the condition of trees along affected roads. Most treatments would occur within three years of authorization.
Feedback from the public is invited during a 30-day combined scoping and comment period on the environmental assessment. Additional information on the proposal and how to comment are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62402
Questions regarding this proposed action can be directed to the project lead, John Dow at 719-250-5311 or john.dow@usda.gov.
