The U.S. Forest Service told the Baker County Board of Commissioners on July 2 that it is moving forward with a forest plan revision for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and gearing up for a busy fire and timber season.

"We just wanted to present to you a snapshot of what we plan to do in fiscal year 25," Forest Supervisor Sean McKinney said, noting the agency expects to publish a notice of intent in the federal register within weeks and begins a public-meeting series starting July 14 in Baker City.

Why it matters: The revision begins the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process that will shape how the Forest Service balances timber production, restoration, recreation and habitat protections across roughly 2.6 million acres the agency manages in eastern Oregon and western Idaho. Agency leaders told commissioners they have been given direction from higher levels to increase regional timber outputs and to move more quickly on projects that reduce wildfire risk.

Most important facts:
- Forest Service officials said the fiscal‑year 2024 timber target for the region was about 24 million board feet; they are working to raise near-term outputs while noting local mill capacity limits.
- The agency plans public meetings tied to the forest plan revision beginning July 14; McKinney said the notice of intent should appear in the federal register within weeks.
- The Hells Canyon/Idaho Power relicensing process is also active: the Forest Service expects a draft environmental impact statement on that project in September and said the settlement agreement will carry job and mitigation work that affects the county.
- Fire readiness: deputies said the forest is about 85–90% staffed for fire positions and that predictions show above‑normal fire risk in July–September; public‑use restrictions (campfire limits, chainsaw use restrictions) are expected to begin around July 4.
- New policy context: agency leaders said interim changes to NEPA and a June 25 memo from the regional forester have constrained new travel‑management starts in Region 6 (Oregon/Washington) and emphasized using emergency authorities and categorical exclusions where lawfully appropriate to speed some work.

Agency and local concerns: The Forest Service and county officials discussed the shortage of processing capacity for timber (local mill infrastructure) and whether increasing timber supply without buyers would leave economic and environmental issues unaddressed. McKinney and Deputy Supervisor Tracy Zimmerman said they are coordinating with district staff and local leaders to match treatments with market and community needs.

Quotes and attributions: McKinney summarized the public‑engagement step that will follow notice of intent: "This will start the NEPA process and kick off actual engagement of our communities." Whitman District Ranger Jeremy Algera described implementation actions already underway—cruise work, fuels treatments and early season prescribed burns—while noting that some timber purchasers have not yet materialized.

What commissioners directed or discussed: Commissioners were told the Whitman District will host a public meeting in this room on July 8; county staff and the Forest Service agreed to continue direct coordination on projects in Baker County and to notify the county when specific implementation and sale timelines are firm.

Background details: The Forest Service said it will use a proposed action in the revision process and develop alternatives in response to public comment; officials described a stepped‑up timber production target driven by recent executive directives and by the regional forester’s guidance, while stressing that some authorities (for example, emergency actions) allow more limited public objection windows when used lawfully.

Next steps and public notices: The Forest Service will publish notices and hold public meetings beginning July 14; the agency asked county residents to attend or submit comments during the NEPA scoping phase.

Ending note: County officials and the Forest Service emphasized continuing coordination as the plan revision, Hells Canyon relicensing and prescribed‑fire and fuels programs move forward into the summer season.