The Bend-Ft. Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest is seeking public input on a large vegetation management project south of Bend and east of Sunriver.
The project, called the Klone Vegetation Management Project, is 34,636 acres in size. Approximately 10,550 acres of the western portion of the project is located within the wildland urban interface area designated in the Upper Deschutes River Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The eastern portion of the project borders Newberry National Volcanic Monument, with approximately 5,800 acres within the Monument. Recreation sites and trails included in the project area are the Lava Cast Forest and Hoffman Island trails.
The overall goal of the project is to improve forest resiliency to protect the forests from high intensity wildfire, insects, and disease. In addition, the project is expected to improve wildlife habitat for mule deer and travel management in the area.
People interested in the project should go to the Deschutes National Forest’s website at the following link: data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=57735.
People wanting to provide input on the project will need to submit comments by April 6, 2020. Comments can be submitted electronically to comments-pacificnorthwest-deschutes-bend-ftrock@usda.gov. People should put “Klone Project” in the subject line of their email. Comments may also be submitted in writing by mail or in person. Written comments should be sent or delivered to Kevin Larkin, Bend district ranger— Fort Rock Ranger District, 63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR 97701. Hand-delivered and oral comments may be delivered to the same address during normal business hours: 8am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Anyone wishing to obtain additional information on the project should contact Cristina Peterson, NEPA planner, by email at cristina.peterson@usda.gov or by phone at 541-383-4028.
