Local News

Mt. Hull project to restore 20,000 acres, support local economy in Okanogan County

USFS Release

May 20, 2019

In the Okanogan Highlands just south of the Canadian border, Mt. Hull stands watch over the community of Oroville nestled in the valley below. Under a newly released draft decision, folks in the area will have a front row seat to a landscape being put back on track for reduced wildfire risk and improved wildlife habitat all while creating local jobs.

“This project is a proactive approach to managing public lands,” said USDA Forest Service project lead, Luke Cerise. “Largely through a combination of thinning and prescribed fire, the 20,000 acre Mt. Hull block will once again become a healthy, functioning forest.”

Draft decision highlights:

Over the next 10 years, good fire will be returned to the landscape, reducing hazardous fuels on approximately 19,000 acres with no more than 5,000 acres burned per year.
Aquatic habitat would be improved throughout the watershed with the replacement of two undersized culverts and improved livestock fencing.
Commercial thinning would help restore dense, overcrowded forests on 7,600 acres while non-commercial thinning is planned on just over 9,600 acres.
The project is projected to generate more than $1.5 million dollars in timber value at the mill and support more than 300 jobs.
50 miles of roads would remain open to provide for sustainable and safe recreation access. 34 miles of user created routes would be rehabilitated.
Firewood cutting opportunities would exist wherever feasible, after commercial and non-commercial thinning operations have been completed.

“This draft decision is a good path forward and reflects thoughts and ideas from dozens of folks who commented earlier this year,” added Cerise. “From roads to firewood to prescribed fire, our interactive map shows how this project would restore the forest.”

In accordance with federal regulations, the USDA Forest Service will offer a 45-day formal objection period on the final Environmental Analysis and draft decision which will begin with a legal notice published May 16, 2019. A final decision is expected in the summer of 2019 with on the ground work starting as soon as late summer/fall 2019.