Smoke rises from the Green Ridge Fire in 2020. Forest thinning, logging and prescribed burns on 19,437 acres of land in the Green Ridge area is under consideration by the Forest Service. 

The Deschutes National Forest has released information on a project that could see forest thinning and prescribed fire treatment on 19,437 acres of land in the Green Ridge area, 13 miles north of Sisters.

The Sisters Ranger District is expected to release on Tuesday a draft decision notice and final environmental assessment on the vegetation treatment project, according to a press statement.

Release of the notice starts a 45-day objection filing period to those who have previously commented on the project.

The purpose of the project is to make the Green Ridge area more resilient to wildfire, insects and disease, said Holly Jewkes, forest supervisor for the Deschutes National Forest.

Parts of the project under consideration include road closures and road decommissioning, including along unauthorized roads. The road closures will reduce disturbance of wildlife habitat, according to the statement.

“Given declines in mule deer populations in the area over the past several years, the road closures and decommissioning are an important aspect of the project,” according to the statement.

The draft decision will authorize realignment and parking lot improvements of Green Ridge Trail. It also authorizes the cutting of about 5.25 million board feet of timber and includes all connected actions such as tree planting.

Ian Reid, ranger for the Sisters Ranger District, said the selected alternative for the project balances resource protection for northern spotted owl habitat, treatment of fuels, closure of unnecessary roads and providing forest products to local economies.

Additional information on the project can be found at fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48454.