The Forest Service is seeking comments on the Fall Creek Environmental Assessment (EA). The Draft EA and supporting documents can be found on the Willamette National Forest’s project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/projects/301396. The Middle Fork Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest is proposing to improve forest stand conditions and provide forest products to the local economy. The proposed action includes commercial harvest of managed stands (less than 80 years old) using variable density thinning on about 11,906 acres. Roads would be maintained to support timber haul and fuels created by harvest activities would be reduced. Additional restoration activities are proposed including falling trees into streams to improve habitat, restoring fish passage and breaking up compacted soils in stands to improve biodiversity. The project is within Oregon’s Lane County, adjacent to the town of Lowell, Oregon. This project is subject to comment pursuant to 36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B. Comments will be accepted for 30-days following the publication of this legal notice. This project follows the USDA NEPA Regulations at 7 CFR 1b and the 36 CFR 218 Objection Regulations. This projects public comment was initiated after the publication of the proposed amendment to the regulations at 36 CFR 218 in the Federal Register on February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5387). This project and the associated EA, Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision Notice may be subject to the revised objection process if the final 36 CFR 218 rule is published before the project’s objection period is initiated. Otherwise, this project will follow the objection process established prior to the proposed rule. Comments may be submitted to the Responsible Official, Acting District Ranger Cameron Mitchell through the project website https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?Project=301396 or mail or hand-delivery during the office hours of 10:00am and 4:30pm Monday-Friday (46375 Highway 58 Westfir, Oregon 97492). It is the commenter’s responsibility to ensure timely receipt of comments. Only those who submit specific written comments during a designated comment period will be eligible to participate in the administrative review (objection) process for this project (36 CFR 218). Specific written comments should be directly related to and within the scope of the proposed action and must include supporting reasons for the responsible official to consider. Names of commenters will be part of the public record subject to the Freedom of Information Act. For more project information contact Tyler Steele at Tyler.Steele@usda.gov.
