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Officials debate pausing Blue Mountain Forest Plan amid wildfire-driven landscape changes
Summary
Commissioners discussed whether to pause the Blue Mountain Forest Plan after widespread fires; one commissioner urged a pause while another said the delayed plan contains measures needed to address fine fuels and urged proceeding.
Commissioner Dorril suggested the county consider pausing or delaying the Blue Mountain Forest Plan in light of widespread landscape change from recent fires, saying the scale of current burns gives her "pause" about proceeding immediately.
"That gives me pause on the Blue Mountain Forest Plan, and what may be asked in terms of a pause on it, for a few months," Commissioner Dorril said, urging the county to consider management decisions or comment deadlines in context of active fires.
Commissioner Frank disagreed with an extended pause, noting the planning process has been delayed for years and arguing that the plan's more aggressive fuel treatments and "flexibility of use" are the kinds of management tools the county should pursue now. "In terms of forest management, I would be really apprehensive to have any pause in this process because it's already been held up 10 years," Frank said.
The court agreed to consult with technical staff and stakeholders and to raise the timing question at an upcoming public meeting and in communications with agency partners.
