Committee members met with the Forest Service (FS) and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to discuss how Categorical Exclusion Analysis works under NEPA. Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) allows the FS and ODF to work together to increase the pace and scale of restoration. Using GNA increases the capacity to get work done, in this case the two agencies are piloting the first contracted Categorical Exclusions Analysis done on the Middle Fork Ranger District.

The contractor, Nature’s Capital LLC completed the analysis for Phase 1 of the Wall Creek GNA project. Specialists from the contracted team shared information on the existing forest conditions and proposed activities, while also reporting on specific findings on wildlife, aquatics, botany, and heritage resources.

After meaningful discussion, the group visited the project area to ask questions and better understand the current conditions within the project area. Overall, this was an excellent opportunity for members to learn about contracted NEPA under GNA.