Forest Service releases draft decision on 105K acre fuels reduction, thinning, prescribed fire, and

PENDLETON, Ore. (May 29, 2025) —Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has released the final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision for the Ellis Integrated Vegetation Project on the Umatilla National Forest.

The project proposes strategic forest thinning, prescribed fire, and habitat enhancement on over 105,000 acres between Heppner and Ukiah. These treatments are designed to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, support wildlife habitat, and contribute to local economies.

The Forest Service has selected Alternative 2 modified for the draft record of decision, which includes 30,877 acres of timber harvest, 57,145 acres of small-diameter tree thinning, 273 miles of fuel breaks, 87,718 acres of prescribed burning, and is expected to create more than 40 local jobs. The draft decision does not include any road actions.

A 45-day public objection period begins following publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. For more information and project documents, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/projects/41350
 

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.   

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