Oregon Proposes Salvage Logging and Reforestation Plan for Beachie Creek, Lionhead and Riverside Wildfires

Oregon is proposing a log salvage as well as the implementation of a reforestation plan in the areas in the Santiam State Forest that were harmed by September’s Beachie Creek, Lionshead and Riverside wildfires. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s reforestation plan would plant between 6 million and 7 million trees in the 24,700 acres of the forest that were damaged in the wildfires. Officials said 3,600 acres of new plantations need to be completely replanted, 1,500 acres of trees need treatment in order to be replanted, 5,400 acres have operability issues including being in hazard locations and 3,600 acres were identified for salvage harvest and initial reforestation. The forestry department says it plants about 250,000 seedlings in an average year, roughly enough for 500 acres of initial planting. To accomplish the reforestation needs, it will need about 3 million seedlings and another 3 million to 4 million seedlings for long-term reforestation. The plan is open for public comment until Wednesday December 23^rd, 2020 at 5:00 PM PST.