Map of recovery project area. Click on it to enlarge.
The Boise National Forest’s Mountain Home Ranger District asked for public comment on a scoping document on proposed post-wildfire recovery of the South Fork Boise River area. Within a 50,000 acre analysis area the Forest proposes to plant some 7,000 acres of upland areas and 1,500 acres of riparian areas.
Comments were accepted from February 7 to March 7, 2014. The Forest received comments from the Boise Valley Fly Fishers (.pdf) and from the Ted Trueblood Chapter of Trout Unlimited (.pdf) among others. The Forest will complete the recovery plan in 2014 with the goal of significant planting efforts beginning in 2015. Comments from Trout Unlimited pointed out that in 2014 it would be possible to collect seed from cottonwood trees in the summer, and begin to grow new trees from locally-sourced seeds. TU and the Boise National Forest’s Lucky Peak Nursery pioneered this practice since 2011. And in the fall 2014 it should be possible to put willow cuttings along riparian areas where needed, assuming appropriate sources of willow can be found.
If you are interested in following this recovery project you can provide your email to the Boise National Forest here.
