Name

Mill Creek

Priority Landscape Category

20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan: Eastern WA Priority Landscapes

Description

The Mill Creek priority landscape (or priority planning area) is dominated by mid-sized, dense forest and has significant treatment needs. Forestland ownership is dominated by small private (34%) and private-industrial (28%); while the US Forest Service (26%), the DNR (10%) and the BLM (2%) own the remainder. Fire risk is generally low, with moderate risk in larger patches of dense forest. Based on current conditions from 2015 and 2016, treating an estimated 55,000 - 74,000 acres of dense forest is recommended to move the landscape into a resilient condition while maintaining 33-45% of the landscape in dense forest to provide for habitat, wood production, and carbon storage. Maintenance treatments on existing open forest are needed on 2,000-6,000 acres. In sum, treating 36-50% of the forested acres is recommended. The Mill Creek A-Z project is currently being implemented in the southeastern corner on most of the USFS land in the planning area. Approximately 14,000 acres in total will be treated when the projectis completed in 2023.

To read the complete landscape evaluation summary for this priority landscape click here, or download the PDF below.

External Resources