Local News

South Summit II Forest and Fuels Project 30-day Comment Period

Mar 09, 2015

The Forest Service is seeking comments on a preliminary Environmental Assessment for 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.

“The proposed activities 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 Michael Liu, District Ranger.

Activities proposed include tree planting, non-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, regeneration harvest, aspen maintenance harvest, ladder fuel reduction thinning treatments, hand and machine debris piling, underburning and pile burning, construction of hand and machine fireline, and construction of a horse 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 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 the existing road system 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.

The Environmental Assessment document and information on how to comment can be accessed on the Forest Service Website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46112, or a paper copy can be sent by requesting it from Meg Trebon, phone (509) 996-4032, or sending a letter of request to: Meg Trebon, Methow Valley Ranger District, 24 West Chewuch Road, Winthrop, WA 98862. This comment period is intended to provide those interested in or affected by this activity an opportunity to make their concerns known.