Oak Creek Forest Restoration

Category Overview

The State Lands Restoration and Enhancement category provides funding to two state agencies to help repair damaged plant and animal habitat. These grants focus on resource preservation and protection of public lands. Projects in this category help bring important natural areas and resources back to their original functions by improving the self sustaining and ecological functionality of sites.

Project Highlights

Commercial thinning and pile burning was completed across 411 acres. Associated with timber haul from the project area, maintenance was conducted on 25 miles of forest road, along with temporary construction of two small temporary spur roads. Upon completion of timber harvest, 1.25 miles of road was abandoned within the project area and grass seeding conducted on skid trails and landings. Additional silvicultural work included non-commercial thinning, hand piling, and pile burning across 314 acres. Broadcast prescribed burning was completed on 80 acres of the project area in fall of 2017. Various weather and social political factors delayed burning until 2017, and no further extensions were granted to complete more broadcast burning on this project. We are currently planning to complete burning with different funding sources on at least 200 acres of the project area.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Fish & Wildlife Dept of Category: State Lands Restoration & Enhancement WWRP Grant: $344,097.79 Applicant Match: $22,638.01 Project Type: Restoration County: Yakima Legislative District: 13 Status: Active Completed RCO Project # 12-1226

Location Details

From Yakima go west on US Highway 12 through Naches. Turn left on Hwy 12 (towards White Pass) and go about 2 miles to Oak Creek Road (USFS 1400). Turn right (north) on Oak Creek Road and go approximately 4 miles until you enter the township where the worksite is located.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.