In January 2022, the Forest Service launched a robust, 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis in the places where it poses the most immediate threats to communities. The strategy, called “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A Strategy for Protecting Communities and Improving Resilience in America’s Forests,” (leer en español) combines a historic investment of congressional funding with years of scientific research and planning into a national effort that will dramatically increase the scale and pace of forest health treatments over the next decade. Through the strategy, the agency will work with states, Tribes and other partners to addresses wildfire risks to critical infrastructure, protect communities, and make forests more resilient.
Read MoreWASHINGTON, DC - The Biden-Harris Administration is today taking new and historic steps to implement President Biden’s direction – issued in his Earth Day 2022 Executive Order on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies – to conserve and restore America’s mature and old growth forests. America’s forests are a key climate solution and the cornerstone of President Biden’s historic climate agenda.
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COLVILLE, WA - For nearly 15 years, the Northeast Washington Forest Coalition (NEWFC) operated under what is known as its Blueprint for the Colville National Forest (CNF). Now, after proven success and enduring collaborative commitment, the group has revised the original Blueprint to incorporate new science, embrace social changes, and reflect the latest Colville Forest Plan, which was finalized in 2019 but excluded key elements collaborative members have long sought.
Named the Strategic Vision, this new NEWFC blueprint is a living, dynamic document that sets the stage—and serves as a roadmap—for productive collaboration into the future.
Read MoreThe Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded nine organizations in Washington $425,000 in grant funding to help increase the health and resilience of forests in 23 counties across the state.
The Building Forest Partnerships Grant Program supports forest collaboratives made up of partners who reach across boundaries to combat the forest health crisis in our state while also supporting rural timber economies. DNR has invested more than $975,000 in local organizations through the Building Forest Partnerships program since 2018 under Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.
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Northeast Washington Forest Coalition welcomes Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to discuss collaborative, balanced solutions for the Colville National Forest. The Northeast Washington Forest Coalition (NEWFC) has been front-and-center in forest restoration and timber production, and several representatives from the Coalition participated in the meeting. Yesterday, at Stevens County Ambulance Training Center, the Congresswoman asked questions and listened to diverse voices who care about Northeast Washington forests.
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The Northeast Washington Forest Coalition seeks a part-time facilitator to plan and facilitate meetings and field trips to learn about, discuss, and identify agreement on land management activities on the Colville National Forest.
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News Release
The Northeast Washington Forest Coalition (NEWFC) objected to the San Poil Project on the Colville National Forest (CNF). This is the first objection to a project in NEWFC’s entire 18-year history.
NEWFC objected because of their dissatisfaction with the collaboration on this particular project. The maps provided to the public were not user-friendly and hampered NEWFC’s ability to field verify particular treatments and potential impacts. Violation of NEWFC’s longstanding collaborative agreement to not operate in roadless areas is of particular concern, especially if these treatments then preclude these acres from being included in the Wilderness Preservation System.
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Tom Merritt's Eastern Washington home is about 15 miles away from where Boyds Fire broke out on the evening of Aug. 11. Perched high up on a hill, he saw smoke and watched as the fire rapidly grew.
"I was watching it from the deck of my house in Colville and I was like, 'Oh, that thing is getting after it,"' Merritt recalled.
And it did spread fast.
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Get Out Fest is a weekend-long event that aims to highlight the abundance of free family-friendly outdoor recreation opportunities that the area has to offer. Several area clubs plan to participate in group-led events that people can sign up for. Events include a fun run on the rail trail and a mountain bike ride and hike on the nearby Kettle Crest Trail, part of the congressionally recognized Pacific Northwest Trail.
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The U.S. Forest Service features many different innovations that highlight stories of people across the agency finding creative ways to be more efficient in their work, whether through use of new authorities, new technologies, or new partnerships. This month, the featured the Mill Creek A to Z Stewardship Project and the lessons we learned.
Read MoreThe Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition, local citizens and the U.S. Forest Service met September 19 to take a firsthand look at the success of the collaborative Kettle Face Project that was recently completed in the Deadman and Matsen Creek area of Ferry County, in the Colville National Forest.
Read MoreThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today nearly $37 million in investments to mitigate wildfire threats to landowners and communities.
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