KAMIAH, Idaho, February 27, 2024:— On February 27, 2024, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests released the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Longleaf Project in the Palouse District of the forests. The public is invited to learn more about the project and provide comments during the ongoing comment period.
The projects will consist of a mixture of 1,605 acres of regeneration harvest, 207 acres of commercial thinning, and 1,488 acres of non-commercial vegetation treatments to reduce fuels on the project area. The public benefits of this project will include enhanced road maintenance, increased production of forest products, reduced fire risk, and improved forest health.
This project was designed in response to the presence of ten different insects and disease agents that impact forest health in the project area. It will restore the project area post-harvest with more fire and disease resistant species. Fuel treatments during the project will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Meadow restoration and elimination of unauthorized routes will improve habitat in the project area.
Palouse District Ranger Buddie Carroll explained, “The Longleaf Project will enhance forest health for future generations and provide tangible ecosystem services today.” You can learn more about the Longleaf Project and comment on it at this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63102
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