TONASKET – Forest restoration work, including thinning, prescribed burning and transportation system changes are proposed east of Tonasket Washington on National Forest System lands near Bonaparte Lake.
A team made up of nearly a dozen specialists in forest ecosystems, engineering and recreation has compared the current forest condition with what would have occurred historically, come up with a list of needs to improve resilience in the ecosystem, and analyzed the effects of implementing treatments proposed for meeting those needs. They’ve called it the Light Restoration Project; named after Lightning Creek, which falls within the proposed project boundary.
The Light Restoration Project area includes approximately 8,600 acres, of which about 270 acres lie within the Bonaparte Inventoried Roadless Area.
The environmental analysis (NEPA) process began with an open house to gather public input on what objectives people may have for the project area as well as what types of treatments might accomplish those objectives.A proposed action was developed for public comment in November of 2014.
Forest Supervisor Mike Williams is seeking comments on the proposed treatments and associated effects analysis.The Draft Environmental Assessment describing the environmental effects of the alternatives can be found online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44628.
To be most helpful, direct comments specifically to concerns or issues with the proposed action and alternatives. Comments will be accepted for 30 days from the day following publication of the legal notice of availability of the Draft document in the Wenatchee World. Comments submitted, including the names and addresses of those who comment will then be considered part of the public record for the project. Written comments can be submitted online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44628 (link to comment is on the right) and via postal mail or hand delivery to the attention of District Ranger Matt Reidy, Tonasket Ranger District, 1 West Winesap, Tonasket Washington 98855.
For more information, please contact Matt at the Tonasket Ranger District, 509-486-2186.
