The public is invited to comment on vegetation-related projects proposed in the Cool Soda All Lands Restoration Proposal, which was created in partnership among the Sweet Home Ranger District, South Santiam Watershed Council and Cascade Timber Consulting in 2012.
The district is preparing an environmental assessment to analyze whether the environmental impacts of the proposed action achieve the proposed purposes and needs, said District Ranger Cynthia Glick. The district anticipates completion of the analysis by the fall.
The project is located in the South Santiam Watershed approximately 30 miles east of Sweet Home in the Soda Fork-Cool Camp area and is called “Cool Soda.”
The purpose for the proposal is to encourage stand health, vigor and structural complexity. Stand treatments include pre-commercial thinning, commercial thinning and protection from insects, disease and damage.
Stands of various conifers will predominate depending on growing sites, although the natural variety of hardwoods, shrubs and forbs will continue to be components of the ecosystem with fluctuations occurring as stands progress through the seral stages.
The potential for introduction, establishment and spread of non-native invasive species would be reduced, minimized or eliminated across the ownership, which includes National Forest lands and private CTC-managed lands.
About 400 acres of stands proposed for treatment are 40 to 60 year-old densely stocked, managed stands with limited understory, which increases competition for water, light and nutrients, slowing growth rates and causing stands to become more susceptible to insects and disease.
The proposal aims to enhance riparian reserves. Approximately 29 percent of the riparian reserves in the project area have previously been harvested and are now densely stocked.
The proposal also aims at contributing to a variety of sustainable forest products for local markets, including a sustainable supply of timber, bear grass, vine maple, boughs and the Oregon grape; increase the diversity in early seral habitats and encourage more continuous wildlife habitat between the two ownerships; improve fire resiliency; and increase availability and access to traditional resources for Native American tribes.
The Ranger District is in the scoping phase of the environmental analysis process and encourages comments about the project by Jan. 19.
“Scoping comments facilitate issue identification and development of alternatives to the proposed action,” Glick said.
Comments may be addressed to Project Team Leader Anita Leach at the Sweet Home Ranger District, 4431 Hwy. 20, Sweet Home, OR 97386; (541) 367-3538; or [email protected].
Comments also may given to Amanda Colton, natural resources staff member, at (541) 367-3540 or [email protected].