Pilot Project to Treat 75,000 Acres of Forest Near Plain, Public Comment Period Open Now

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is asking for your thoughts on a forest health project between Lake Wenatchee and Plain, with an open house Tuesday, March 12.

The primary focus of the project is to restore forest health, reduce wildfire risk, improve wildlife habitat, and improve watershed function on a landscape scale, said Holly Krake, with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. She said restoration may include both terrestrial and aquatic work such as prescribed fire, thinning, stream improvements and road system work.

The Forest Service has identified about 75,000 acres of forest around Lake Wenatchee. Krake said the project will take a holistic look at the current condition of the forest and other important values.

A 30-day comment period started Feb. 25. and the Ranger District will hold a community meeting Tuesday, March 12, at the Lake Wenatchee Recreation Club. A draft Environmental Analysis is expected this Fall.

Krake, Patrick Haggerty with the Cascadia Conservation District and Barbara Carrillo with the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board all joined Dan Langager on the KOHO Morning Show to talk about forest health issues in the greater Plain area. Here’s the full conversation: