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PENDLETON, Ore.–The Pomeroy Ranger District of the Umatilla National Forest will host a virtual workshop on May 25 from 5-7 p.m. for the proposed Turkey Tail Insect and Disease Project.

The purpose of the workshop is to introduce the Turkey Tail Project, discuss project objectives and proposed treatments, and to gather information from the public about values that they would like the Forest Service to consider in project development. The session will be hosted via Zoom and will include breakout groups and opportunities to engage with District specialists to discuss the proposed action. The Zoom link will be posted on the Turkey Tail Project page listed below.

The Turkey Tail Project is located approximately 18 miles southeast of Dayton, Wash., in Columbia County. The project is anticipated to increase forest health and vigor and decrease wildfire risk and insect and disease spread within the 10,650-acre project area. Proposed actions include commercial timber harvest and non-commercial thinning on approximately 2,700 acres within the project area.

The project proposal is anticipated to be released for a 30-day scoping period summer of 2021. The virtual public engagement session is an opportunity for the public to be involved in the process and offer thoughts on alternative ways the Forest Service can accomplish the project purpose and need.