Healthy Forests Initiative - Fact Sheet

Making A Difference
Boise National Forest - Idaho

As part of its commitment to the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA), the Boise National Forest selected the Star Ranch project as its first HFRA project. The project, located about eight miles northeast of Idaho City, is designed to reduce hazardous fuels around the community of Placerville and the Star Ranch subdivision. Nearly all of the 8,500-acre project area has been classified in condition classes 2 or 3, whereby fire regimes have been moderately or substantially altered from historic conditions and the risk of wildland fire is significant.

Primary treatments will include over 1,500 acres of pre-commercial thinning, and over 1,100 acres to be commercially and pre-commercially thinned. The project also includes prescribed burning on nearly 4,500 acres (many of which will have been first treated with pre-commercial and commercial thinning), construction of less than two miles of road to provide economical access to forested stands most in need of thinning, and decommissioning of nearly five miles of classified road. With these treatments, the project area will be shifted towards a more historic condition, while protecting life and property.

The Star Ranch project has strong community support. The project was included in the Boise County wildfire mitigation plan, and the Idaho City Ranger District has worked closely with local residents to help design the project, and to help landowners undertake fuels reduction on their private lands. When completed, the project will be a key piece of a more sustainable landscape, and reflect a more involved community.

An environmental assessment is being completed using two action alternatives under the HFRA authorities. This is improving efficiency in both time and cost.

The rural fire department received a Steven’s Act grant for fuel reduction on the private lands adjoining the public land proposed project area. The use of HFRA authority clearly secured Steven’s Act funding and enhanced the future achievement of this public/private fuel reduction project.

For more information on the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and the Healthy Forests Initiative, visit www.healthyforests.gov

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