REGION
Thursday, April 15, 2021
East Oregonian
A9
State launching projects to reduce wildfi re risk in Northeast Oregon
Total funding
for three
regional projects
is $427,000
East Oregonian
LA GRANDE — The
Oregon Depar tment of
Forestry is putting to work
in Northeast Oregon some
of the $5 million it was
granted in January by the
Oregon Legislative Emer-
gency Board for reducing
wildfi re risk.
Of 37 total projects state-
wide, the agency has one
in Wallowa County, one
in Wheeler County, and
one in multiple counties,
including the previous two
and Umatilla, Union and
Grant counties. Total fund-
ing for the three projects is
$427,000. The projects rely
on partnerships to improve
community resilience to
wildfire and restore and
maintain healthy, resilient
forests.
“The funds from the
Emergency Board provide
the state with an incred-
ible opportunity to bring
together public and private
groups to complete some
critical fuels mitigation
work in advance of the 2021
fire season,” said Oregon
State Forester Peter Daugh-
erty. “This is shared stew-
ardship in action. When we
work together, we can treat
more acres across owner-
ship boundaries and have a
greater impact on fi re resil-
iency in communities and
forests throughout the state.”
The project in Wheeler
County is on the Umatilla
National Forest and is a
continuation of a habitat
improvement and wild-
fi re reduction that involves
the USDA Forest Service,
Sustainable Nor thwest,
Rocky Mountain Elk Foun-
dation and Oregon Depart-
ment of Fish and Wildlife,
with Sustainable Northwest
as the partner project lead.
Another project with the
USDA Forest Service is
on the Wallowa-Whitman
National Forest. A third proj-
ect is with My Blue Moun-
tains Woodland Partnership,
the federal Natural Resource
Conservation Service, and
the USDA Forest Service.
Af ter receiving the
funds in January, ODF put
out a call for proposals and
received 93 applications
totaling over $20 million.
The 37 projects were chosen
from among those applica-
tions.
Some 35 projects involve
direct treatments on the
land. ODF and its partners
will employ various fuel
treatment methods rang-
ing from ODF fuel crews,
landowner cost shares and
rebates and/or contracted
equipment services.
ODF Partnership and
Planning Program Manager
Jeff Burns said the fund-
ing will also allow ODF to
increase its organizational
capacity through equipment
and adding a few full-time
staff .
“We’re hiring six fi eld-
based positions to address
local capacity needs and two
Salem administrative posi-
tions, which will support
fi eld operations,” he said.
“This is important given the
increasing complexity of
cross-boundary programs
with multiple partners and
funding sources.”
Burns said the f ield
positions allow ODF to
keep seasonal firefighters
engaged outside of peak fi re
months.
“That’s already paid off
in Eastern Oregon because
we had trained fi refi ghting
staff doing fuels treatment
work when a large wild-
fire was reported in late
March. They were able to
join the response, adding to
our initial attack capability
even as they reduce potential
fi re intensity with their fuels
treatment,” he said.
Stewards of
the Umatilla River
Environment
Umatilla Basin Watershed Council
East Oregonian • Pendleton Parks & Rec
SPRING
River Cleanup
2021
SATURDAY • APRIL 17, 2021
9:30 TO 11:30 A.M.
Watershed Council office: 27 SE Third St.
River Parkway at SE Third St. (behind the EO) in Pendleton
Join us for a morning cleaning up the
river parkway & Umatilla riverbanks!
Native plant and tree giveaway, too!
9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Celebrate Arbor Day!
Pick up your FREE
native plant or tree,
thanks to the Pendleton
Tree Commission,
Umatilla National
Forest,and
Pendleton Parks & Rec!
We will supply gloves, trash bags, etc.
Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeves;
bring a bottle of water.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Facebook: @SUREPendleton
or call 541-278-2667
Our mission: To enhance the environment along the Umatilla River for people, fish and wildlife.