Salem, Ore — Join the Oregon Department of Forestry at a virtual public presentation and information session at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 27, to learn more about plans for recovery and restoration in the vicinity of the Shellburg Falls Recreation Area in the Santiam State Forest due to impacts from the 2020 Labor Day fires. ODF is proposing a plan to restore safe public access, protect sensitive environmental areas, remove dangerous trees along forest roads, and conduct a limited timber harvest as part of Phase 2 of ODF’s North Cascade Annual Operations Plan. This meeting will be hosted via the Zoom platform, and a post-meeting recording will be posted to the ODF YouTube page. Meeting link: https://odf.zoom.us/j/96225705653 Call-in information: Dial 669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 962 2570 5653 In addition to this public presentation, a public comment period will be held in early November. Components of this project include: Robust protections for scenic areas and along waterways; Ongoing repair and improvements to trails and recreational infrastructure; Selective removal of dangerous trees alongside roadways and recreation areas; A 14-acre post-fire timber harvest and replanting outside the viewshed of Shellburg Falls; Underplanting in some no-harvest areas that are not showing significant signs of natural re-generation after the fires; Identifying opportunities for education and interpretation in post-fire environments; Post-fire environmental monitoring; More information: An ODF staff presentation to the State Forests Advisory Committee was given on September 16th and can be viewed on YouTube.
