The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment reports that the West Lassen Headwaters Project has reached a major milestone: the completion of its environmental review and the signing of the decision notice. This officially concludes the National Environmental Policy Act planning process for the project.
With this approval, implementation work can now begin on the ground, said the Sierra Institute.
The project was developed collaboratively, and throughout the planning process the South Lassen Watersheds Group participated in subject-matter workshops, field tours and partner discussions that helped define project boundaries, assess current and future conditions and refine proposed actions, said organizers.
“The WHLP demonstrates how landscape-scale restoration connects ecological, social and economic systems,” said the Sierra Institute. “Restoring forests also means supporting the people and communities who depend on them — through workforce development, local infrastructure and education. This milestone reflects incredible dedication, persistence and collaboration.”
Project overview
The WLHP spans 172,765 acres, with approximately 101,000 acres located on Lassen National Forest land and with roughly one-third of the project area near communities and homes. The project aims to address growing wildfire risk through fuels reduction and reforestation, while also restoring hydrological systems — like meadows and streams — to improve salmon and aquatic habitat.
Planned restoration activities include hand and mechanical thinning, surface fuel reduction, reforestation, prescribed burning and process-based improvements to hydrological systems.
The project area encompasses the headwaters of four key anadromous fish-bearing creeks — Antelope, Deer, Battle and Mill — and plays a vital role in sustaining water supplies for downstream communities. It will also help protect several communities, including Mill Creek and Mineral, and aims to preserve some of the last remaining green forest stands on the LNF’s Almanor Ranger District, said the Sierra Institute.
In addition, the project area overlaps with the footprints of the 2021 Dixie Fire and the 2024 Park Fire, and includes postfire restoration activities.
The Sierra Institute points out that WLHP exemplifies collaborative restoration, uniting partners such as Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Sierra Institute and the South Lassen Watersheds Group. The effort leverages collective expertise and resources to achieve holistic ecosystem restoration.
More information is available on the Sierra Institute website.
