Ochoco Natl. Forest OKs fuels-vegetation project

The Ochoco National Forest has issued a Record of Decision for the Wolf Fuels and Vegetation Management Project, an analysis that began in 2013 and incorporated significant input from the Ochoco Forest Restoration Collaborative and other members of the public.

The project name comes from Wolf Creek and North Wolf Creek, which intersect the 24,500-acre project area, located about 50 miles east of Prineville.

“This project represents the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication of our publics and local collaborative during project planning,” said Paulina District Ranger Sandy Henning. “We look forward to continuing those efforts during implementation phases of the project.”

The ROD selects Alternative 3, which calls for about 4,700 acres of commercial thinning, noncommercial thinning on an additional 988 acres, Juniper cutting on 481 acres, an additional 5,000 acres of prescribed burning, and hardwood enhancement on another 90 acres.

The goals of the project are to enhance the diversity and resiliency of forest conditions, reduce fuel loadings, and improve riparian conditions, large tree structure and fire-tolerant species, as well as contribute to local economies by providing timber products.

Implementation is expected to begin this year.

For more information, please contact Public Affairs Officer Patrick Lair at (541) 416-6647.