The Deschutes National Forest is postponing the community meeting about proposed changes to the Northwest Forest Plan that was scheduled for tonight in Sisters, Oregon, due to anticipated inclement weather.
The meeting will be rescheduled, the future date is still to be determined.
The Northwest Forest Plan was created in 1994 to conserve habitat for wildlife and forests while supporting local communities. After nearly 30 years, the Forest Service is amending the plan to address today’s challenges, including wildfire risks and economic needs.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) explains these proposed changes and is open for public comment until March 17, 2025. Some of the key focuses of the updated plan include:
- Reducing wildfire risks to communities and forests.
- Supporting local economies with sustainable timber and restoration work.
- Adapting to a changing climate to increase resiliency to extreme weather events, like droughts and wildfire.
- Honoring trust responsibilities to tribal governments and communities by involving them in land management planning and implementing forest management practices.
You can read the full Draft Environmental Impact Statement and find other resources at NWFP DEIS. For a list of all public meetings across the Northwest Forest Plan area, visit the NWFP website.
If you have questions about the amendment, you can email the team directly at SM.FS.NWFPquestion@usda.gov.
Information about the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan and the proposed amendment to the Northwest Forest Plan is available at https://shorturl.at/VaBUr.