Ochoco NF to proceed with Walton Lake thinning project

The Lookout Mountain Ranger District of the Ochoco National Forest has issued a decision to move forward with restoration work on 176 acres surrounding Walton Lake, officials said Tuesday.

The Walton Lake Restoration Project will include selective thinning and replanting in an effort to improve public safety and maintain visual aesthetics surrounding the forest’s busiest recreation site.

“We understand that Walton Lake is a very special place for a lot of people. That’s why we’re undertaking this project, to ensure this recreation site continues to be the safe, beautiful spot that everyone enjoys,” said District Ranger Slater Turner.

On about 46 acres of the project, thinning will remove fir trees encroaching on the large, legacy Ponderosa pines to reduce the stress of competition and conserve the mature Ponderosa forest that is so appealing to visitors.

On another 40 acres, thinning will be used to remove diseased fir trees that create a public safety issue and increase fire danger.

Laminated root disease has infected Douglas and grand firs in this area of the project, rotting the trees at the base from the inside. Infected fir trees fall without warning, creating a safety hazard for recreationists and leaving a base of hazardous fuels that raises the potential for unwanted, high intensity wildfire.

Noncommercial thinning to reduce fire danger and improve forest health will take place throughout the rest of the project area. Replanting of disease-resistant trees and shrubs, and the burning of slash piles, will follow mechanical thinning treatments.

“This project will cause some short-term disruptions to what people are used to seeing, but it will provide a long-term benefit to the health of the forest and the safety of the visitors,” Turner said.

First brought to the public’s attention in June, the project work is expected to take place during the winter of 2016.

The Decision Memo can be found here: http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=47019

For more detailed maps and photos, visit our web page for this project: http://go.usa.gov/ck6Wk