Local News

Comments Sought on Proposed Activities in the South Summit Forest and Fuels II Project Area

Jan 07, 2015

The Forest Service is seeking input and comments on proposed management activities in the South Summit II Forest and Fuels Project area east of Twisp, Washington.

The 50,000-acre project area lies within the Frazer, Chiliwist, Benson, Texas, French, and Swamp Creek sub-watersheds, east of Twisp, Washington.

Treatments in the project area were initially proposed under the South Summit Forest and Fuels Project. An environmental assessment for that project was close to being finalized in July, 2014. In mid-July, the Carlton Complex wildfire burned approximately 35,000 acres (or 70%) of the project area with varying levels of severity, changing the baseline conditions and modifying or eliminating the need for treatments in some locations.

The South Summit II project carries portions of the former project forward where the original proposal still applies to the landscape. Treatment proposals have been modified as necessary in consideration of changes caused by the wildfire. In addition, the project proposal now includes tree planting within burned areas and the development of a campground for horseback riders.

Activities proposed include non-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, regeneration harvest, aspen maintenance harvest, hand and machine debris piling, ladder fuel reduction thinning treatments, underburning and pile burning, construction of hand and machine fireline, tree planting, and construction of a campground. Some roads within the project area would be re-opened, closed, or decommissioned. These activities would result in the removal of saw timber and non-saw timber for use in area sawmills, pulp mills, wood pellet manufacturers and electric power generating facilities. Treatments would also include reforestation in areas burned in the Carlton Complex, and increased camping opportunities for horseback riders.

“The proposed activities in these areas take into consideration changes caused by the Carlton Complex Fire and will help to address remaining needs to build a healthier landscape that is resilient to insect, disease and wildfire” said Mike Liu, District Ranger.

The proposed project addresses the need to thin dense forest stands, reduce fire hazard on national forest lands within the wildland-urban interface, improve forest health, assure regeneration of burned areas, provide camping opportunities for horseback riders, and to modify some existing road systems to respond to impacts caused by debris flows and increased runoff, as well as, provide for long-term resource management, recreation use, and reduced impacts on aquatic and wildlife habitats.

“We’re asking area residents and others interested in management of these areas of the Methow Valley Ranger District to review this proposal and send us their comments so we can develop the best plan possible,” Liu said.

The scoping letter and associated maps are available at the Methow Valley Ranger District office in Winthrop and online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/okawen/landmanagement/projects

Comments should be sent by February 4, 2015 to District Ranger Michael Liu, Methow Valley Ranger District, 24 W. Chewuch Road, Winthrop, Washington, 98862. Comments may also be sent electronically to fs-comments-pacificnorthwest-okanogan-methowvalley@fs.fed.us.