Forest Plan EIS Expected This Month

An update to the Northwest Forest Plan is expected soon, and Washingtonians connected to the outdoor, for work or for pleasure, are being encouraged to follow the process closely.  While the plan doesn't specifically mention recreation, the Northwest Forest Plan is the land management plan for millions of acres of forest in the region.  Michael DeCramer with the Washington Trails Association said the U.S. Forest Service should keep in mind the people hiking trails within the plan area.

"Outdoor recreation is the primary way in which the public interacts with those lands. So, this management plan is key to assuring that there's continued conservation of resources, but also opportunities to recreate and enjoy the forests in the Pacific Northwest."

DeCramer said the outdoor recreation economy is also important to the region, generating more than $26 billion annually in Washington.  

Betsy Robblee with the group The Mountaineers said increasingly frequent wildfires are hurting trails.  She contributed recommendations with the federal advisory committee on the plan amendment to address this. 

"Restore recreation sites after climate-related events and reopen them to the public. One thing that we're seeing is more lengthy closures of areas after wildfire. Places can be closed for a number of years for public access." 

The Northwest Forest Plan was adopted in 1994 for management of forests in Washington, Oregon and northern California.  The U.S. Forest Service is set to release a draft Environmental Impact Statement this month.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com