January 8, 2025 3:40 a.m. 

The Umpqua National Forest will host a community meeting to share information about proposed changes to the Northwest Forest Plan.

A UNF release said the public is invited to attend and learn more about the Draft Environmental Statement.
The meeting will be January 28th in the Ford Room at the Roseburg Public Library, on Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard. It will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Northwest Forest Plan was created in 1994 to conserve habitat for wildlife and forests while supporting local communities. After 30 years, the Forest Service is amending the plan to address today’s challenges, including wildfire risks and economic needs.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement explains the proposed changes and is open for public comment until March 17th. The release said 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
*Adapting to changing climate to increase resiliency to extreme weather events, like drought and wildfire
*Honoring trust responsibilities to tribal governments and communities by including them in land management planning and implementing forest management practices

At the meeting, residents can talk directly with Forest Service staff and experts who worked on the plan, look at detailed maps of the area and proposed updates, pick up fact sheets to take home and learn how to share thoughts during the public comment period.

For more information, email the team directly at: SM.FS.NWFPquestion@usda.gov.