Local News

Mission Project draft decision to increase forest resiliency; improve water quality across 50,000 acres

Mar 19, 2018

120713 MVRD Urchin Thinning.JPG

Credit: USFS/ Paul Nash

In the Libby Creek watershed, USFS Timber Management Assistant, Paul Nash picks his way through a dense, overgrown, and unhealthy stand of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine. Nearby a meadow is slowly disappearing as conifers continue to encroach this once open habitat largely due to a lack of good fire over the past century. But under the newly released draft decision for the Mission Restoration Project, this stand will be on a path toward health- restored through a combination of thinning and prescribed fire.

“This draft decision reflects input from more than 100 folks who leant their voice to the project,” said Methow Valley District Ranger, Mike Liu. “Through this process I am confident we were able to balance issues such as stream sedimentation, needed user access, and forest thinning.”

Draft decision highlights:

Over the next 15 years, good fire will be returned to the landscape, reducing hazardous fuels on approximately 10,200 acres with no more than 2,000 acres burned per year.
Long-term water quality and aquatic habitat would be improved throughout the watershed with the replacement of eight undersized culverts.
Commercial thinning would help restore dense, overcrowded forests on 1,853 acres while non-commercial thinning is planned on just over 8,300 acres.
Elevated risk of crown fire would be reduced across the project area, including areas where private or state lands meet federal lands.
The project is projected to generate more than $3.2 million dollars in timber value at the mill and support more than 172 jobs.
More than 66 miles of roads would remain open to provide for sustainable and safe forest recreation access.
Firewood cutting opportunities would exist wherever feasible, after commercial and non-commercial thinning operations have been completed.
More than 460 sites are planned for soil restoration to increase watershed function.

“Taking the long-view was important to the community as well,” added Liu. “Through this project, I believe the Libby Creek and Buttermilk watersheds will provide for us for decades to come.”

In accordance with federal regulations, the Forest Service will offer a 45-day formal objection period on the final Environmental Analysis, which will begin with a legal notice published March 15, 2018. A final Decision Notice is expected in the spring of 2018.

Get the latest forest news and alerts by texting ‘follow OkaWenNF’ to 40404, 'liking' us on facebook or following us on twitter @OkaWenNF. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.