The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will host a community meeting this week to share information about proposed changes to the Northwest Forest Plan.
The community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Medford Interagency Office at 3040 Biddle Road. The public is invited to attend and learn more about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The Northwest Forest Plan was created in 1994 to conserve habitat for wildlife and forests while supporting local communities. After nearly 30 years, the US Forest Service is amending the plan to address today's challenges including wildfire risks and economic needs.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) explains these proposed changes and is open for public comment until March 17th. Some of the key focuses of the updated plan include reducing wildfire risks to communities and forests, supporting local economies with sustainable timber and restoration work, and adapting to a changing climate to increase resiliency to extreme weather events such as drought.
At the meeting, citizens can speak directly with Forest Service staff and experts who worked on the plan, review detailed maps of the area and proposed updates, and pick up easy-to-understand fact sheets to take home.
Public input helps shape the final version of the plan. This is your chance to share concerns, ask questions and help ensure the plan reflects community priorities.
