Local News

Private Property Owners Near Twisp Restoration Project Area Invited to Discuss Fuels Reduction Opportunities on Oct. 17


Oct 03, 2019

The Methow Valley Ranger District is in the earliest stages of preparing the Twisp Forest Restoration Project. As part of that work the Forest Service is interested in pursuing agreements with adjacent landowners to increase fuel treatment acres under the Wyden Amendment (Public Law 109-54, Section 434). This amendment authorizes the Forest Service to enter into cooperative agreements with willing private and nonprofit entities, or federal, tribal, state or local governments to benefit resources within watersheds on national forest system lands.

 

As part of this project private landowners whose properties are located adjacent to national forest lands along the 65-mile project boundary may be interested in participating in forest fuels reduction treatments for the protection, restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources. Treatments could also reduce the risk from wildfire or other natural disaster where public safety could be threatened.

 

“The increase in acres for underburning would benefit all landowners in the Twisp Project area by lowering fire intensities across a broader area in the event of a large scale wildfire,” said Methow Valley District Ranger Chris Furr. “We’re interested in looking at property lines that could provide more favorable or suitable locations for fireline such as ridgetops, existing roads, rocky areas or areas where the vegetation changes to place more effective firelines for prescribed burn activities.”

 

An open house and public sensing meeting is planned for Thursday, October 17, 2019 at the Methow Valley Community Center, located at 201 Highway 20 South, in Twisp from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to share information about the Wyden Amendment and to explore potential opportunities to partner with private landowners who have been invited to the meeting. The meeting is open to all members of the public.

 

The Methow Valley Ranger District is preparing to formally kick-off the project later this November when a 30-day public scoping period is scheduled to take place. The October 17 listening session will be focused on looking at potential opportunities to use the Wyden Amendment with private property owners.  

 

The 76,748-acre Twisp Restoration Project lies approximately 2 miles west of the town of Twisp, Washington and approximately 4 miles southwest of the town of Winthrop, Washington and is primarily located on National Forest System land. Several parcels of privately owned property, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Bureau of Land Management also exist within the planning area.

 

For further information regarding this project contact Eireann Pederson, Silviculturist, 509-996-4018, eireann.pederson@usda.gov , 24 W. Chewuch Rd, Winthrop, WA 98862


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