Forest Service, Cow Creek Tribe Expand Partnership To Restore Forests In Southern Oregon

The U.S. Forest Service And The Cow Creek Band Of Umpqua Tribe Of Indians Have Signed A New Shared Stewardship Agreement Aimed At Expanding Forest And Rangeland Restoration Work Across Portions Of The Umpqua And Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forests In Oregon.

The Agreement Was Signed Feb. 12 At Forest Service Headquarters In Washington, D.C., And Builds On An Existing Partnership Between The Federal Agency And The Tribe. Officials Said The Updated Agreement Will Support Joint Planning And On-The-Ground Projects Intended To Reduce Wildfire Risk, Improve Forest Health And Protect Cultural Resources Across A Large Landscape That Crosses Jurisdictional Boundaries.

The Initial Planning Area Covers About 155,000 Acres Within The Two National Forests. Within That Footprint, The Forest Service And The Tribe Plan To Coordinate Work To Increase The Pace And Scale Of Forest Management Projects Designed To Protect Communities, Natural Resources And Areas Of Cultural Significance.

“The Cow Creek Band Of Umpqua Tribe Of Indians Bring Deeply Rooted Indigenous Land Management Experience And Traditions That Focus On Caring For The Land,” Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz Said. “In Partnership With The Tribe, More Than 37 Miles Of Fuel Breaks Were Created To Protect Tribal Lands, Private Property And National Forest System Lands. I Look Forward To Our Expanded Partnership And Our Joint Efforts To Reduce Wildfire Risk On A Landscape Scale And Create Resilient Forests That Benefit All.”

Officials Said Previous Collaboration Between The Tribe And The Forest Service Has Already Produced Dozens Of Miles Of Fuel Breaks Intended To Help Slow Or Stop Wildfires And Protect Nearby Properties And Infrastructure. The New Agreement Is Expected To Build On That Work And Help Accelerate Additional Restoration Projects.

“Wildfire Is The Greatest Threat To The Health Of Our Forests, Which Is Not Only Of Cultural Significance To The Cow Creek Umpqua, But Also A Critical Part Of Oregon’s Environmental And Economic Landscape,” Said Carla Keene, Chair Of The Cow Creek Band Of Umpqua Tribe Of Indians. “This Government-To-Government Partnership Allows Us To Work Toward A Future Where Our Forests Are Managed For Long-Term Resilience, Our Communities Are Protected From The Health Risks Of Smoke, And Our National Forests Remain An Asset For All Oregonians Seven Generations Into The Future.”

National Forests Provide Raw Materials For Construction And Energy, Supply Drinking Water To Millions Of Americans And Support Recreation Across The Region. Officials Said Addressing Wildfire Risk And Forest Health Requires Coordination Across Federal, Tribal, State And Private Lands, Making Shared Stewardship Agreements An Important Tool For Managing Forests At A Landscape Scale.

The Oregon Agreement Follows Similar Shared Stewardship Partnerships Between The Forest Service And States Or Tribes In Montana, Idaho, Utah And Georgia. Federal Officials Said Those Agreements Are Intended To Improve Forest Conditions, Strengthen Rural Communities And Support Long-Term Land Management Goals.

More Information About The Agreement And The Shared Stewardship Program Is Available Through The U.S. Forest Service And The Cow Creek Band Of Umpqua Tribe Of Indians website.
The full release can be found here.