Logging activities to resume in Upper Pataha Project

POMEROY–Logging activities are anticipated to resume on April 20 for the Upper Pataha Stewardship timber sale on the Pomeroy Ranger District. These commercial harvest activities, which are located approximately 20 miles southeast of Pomeroy, Wash., are part of ongoing implementation of the Upper Pataha Project, which was authorized through a Decision Memo in 2019.

A portion of Forest Service Road (FSR) 40 and FSR 42 will be utilized as haul routes from Rose Springs to Iron Springs. Despite this section of the road being accessible, the public is discouraged from traveling these routes and should expect to see increased amounts of heavy equipment and log trucks on Forest roads and around the area over the next several weeks.

The 2,000-acre Upper Pataha Project aims to increase forest health and vigor, decrease wildfire risk, and protect values at risk (including people, natural resources and infrastructure) through vegetative thinning and prescribed burning. The decision included a timber sale for a total of 10 million board feet (MMBF). Contractors began implementing the Upper Pataha Stewardship timber sale last summer, but work was paused due to significant wildfire activity on the Ranger District.

Additional information about the Upper Pataha Project, including documents and maps, is available on the Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54327.