Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project Area Expansion Approved

Release Date: Apr 17, 2015

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project Area Expansion Approved

JOHN DAY, OR – A proposal for the revision of the Southern Blues Restoration Coalition Collaborative Landscape Restoration (CFLR) project, submitted in September of 2014 by the Malheur National Forest, Blue Mountain Forest Partners and the Harney County Restoration Collaborative was recently approved by Leslie Weldon, the Deputy Chief of National Forest Systems.

The CFLR project currently receives $2.5 million, per year, above normal funding to help pay up to 50% of the cost of carrying out and monitoring ecological restoration treatments on the Malheur National Forest.

The approved changes will allow the project to modify the original project boundary to increase the size of landscape for implementation of restoration activities and enable the project to focus on high-need areas. This broader landscape will also allow the Forest to continue to build their relationships with collaborative groups.

"Blue Mountain Forest Partners is excited by the expansion,” says Mark Webb, newly appointed Executive Director for the Blue Mountain Forest Partners Collaborative group,  “it demonstrates national respect and support for local efforts undertaken by community members, local collaboratives, and the forest service to move public land management ahead in a positive, productive manner; it also promises to provide significant new opportunities to improve forest health, support local industries, and strengthen area communities through ongoing collaborative work.”

The collaborative groups also requested additional funding to help further accelerate the restoration work in the expanded area. While the funds are not currently available for the expansion component of the proposal, the request is approved if those funds were to become available in the future.

“The Harney County Restoration Collaborative is looking forward to continuing working with conservationists, industry, agencies, recreationists and the Forest Service in our efforts to bring about healthy, fire tolerant forests that provide forest products, wildlife habitat, local jobs and great recreational opportunities on the southern Malheur National Forest,” shared Jack Southworth, Facilitator for the Harney County Restoration Collaborative group.  

Current projects being completed through CFLR include Soda Bear, Starr, Dads, Upper Pine, Marshall Devine and Jane. The expansion will allow for the inclusion of projects in the Headwaters of the John Day River and the Middle Fork of the John Day River, such as Galena and Big Mosquito projects.

“This is another example of the strong commitment the National and Regional Offices have for the on-going restoration work being done on the Malheur and across eastern Oregon,” stated Malheur Forest Supervisor Steve Beverlin, “the approved expansion is a testament to our exceptional partnerships with our public, communities and collaboratives.   As we expand our efforts we will continue to seek common ground and promote active public and partner involvement.”

To find out more about CFLR and your forest, visit us on the web at http://www.fs.fed.us/restoration/CFLRP/overview.shtml

###