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Plumas National Forest officials brief Lassen supervisors on grazing allotments and reforestation priorities
Summary
Acting Plumas National Forest officials told the Lassen County Board the forest is staffed for fire season, is signing local cooperative agreements and is prioritizing reopening vacant grazing allotments (with NEPA review) and reforestation work, while noting timber market constraints and staffing limits.
Acting Plumas National Forest staff updated the Lassen County Board of Supervisors on preparations for fire season, grazing allotments and reforestation work.
Caitlin Austenel, acting forest supervisor for the Plumas National Forest, said the forest’s fire staff is fully onboard and that the Forest Service is signing cooperative agreements with local stations to speed response time. She said officials expect a busy season and described steps to expand joint stewardship work with local partners.
Austenel said the Plumas is prioritizing reopening currently vacant grazing allotments in fiscal year 2027 but cautioned that NEPA consultations and staff capacity will determine the pace. "We are prioritizing staff time, so we're gonna start that work after fire season for the most part," she said.
District leadership also described targeted measures to accelerate fuels reduction. Austenel noted amendments under consideration that could allow targeted goat grazing to reduce fuels in some locations after necessary environmental analyses.
Mike Ray, serving as acting district ranger for portions of the forest, outlined a five‑year reforestation framework the agency is working to finalize. Ray said recent plantings include about 192 acres in Crater Valley and estimated that the district has planted on the order of several hundred to a little over a thousand acres in recent seasons, with more planned as resources allow. He also said timber projects are being shifted to integrated service contracts where timber market demand is low.
Supervisors pressed Forest Service staff on herbicide use, timelines for reforestation and how the Service will coordinate with permittees regarding wolves and livestock displacement. Austenel committed to follow up on exact figures for how many allotments will reopen and to maintain communication with range leads and permittees to avoid inappropriate penalties when wolves displace cattle.
The Forest Service representatives said they will continue outreach to local permittees and partners and that they welcome county input and continued coordination on funding and operational priorities.
Next steps: Forest Service staff said they will follow up with specific numbers and confirm timelines for allotment reopenings and reforestation goals.
