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Decision signed for Willow Creek Vegetation Project

LINCOLN-Forest Supervisor Bill Avey signed the final decision for management actions to take place on 2,140 acres as part of the Willow Creek Vegetation Project located southwest of Lincoln on the Lincoln Ranger District.

"Along with this being a scientifically sound project, we invited partners, landowners, business owners, residents, recreationalists, state and federal agency representatives, and interested individuals to help us design a project they wanted to see completed on their public lands; and they showed up. They created a collaborative working group, and worked with us throughout the duration of the project development phases, and this project is stronger because of that input."

The Willow Creek-Dalton Mountain area has become overgrown over the past several years because fire suppression. Natural fire cycles of low intensity fires, help to naturally thin forested areas that have an over abundance of dead, dying, and hazard trees. When areas grow too thick with vegetation, they not only become more susceptible to catastrophic wildfire, they also promote unhealthy conditions by affecting undergrowth. Theis unhealthy forest condition was further complicated by insect infestation-mainly the mountain pine-beetle, Douglas-fir beetle, and spruce budworm. Additionally, project activities will help promote aspen stand enhancements, protect large mature trees, and improve growth and resiliency of younger trees in previously-harvested units.

The Willow Creek Vegetation Project proposes thinning trees while leaving a healthy, open stand of more diverse and desirable trees. The project also proposes to use prescribed fire to safely reduce wildfire fuel loads to create a more resilient forest and grassland ecosystem.

The authority for this project is provided through the 2014 Farm Bill and amended Title VI section of the 2003 Healthy Forest Restoration Action. The Willow Creek Vegetation Project Decision Memo, along with all of the scientific analyses, maps, and other project documents are available online at by clicking the link above or navigating via http://www.fs.usda.gov/hlcnf à Land & Resourcement Management à Projects.

 

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