Rocky Restoration Project

The overall purpose for the Rocky Restoration Project is to conduct restoration activities within the planning area to improve the health and vigor of forested stands, and improve conditions for wildlife and aquatic resources, while reducing the risk of fires spreading from public lands to non-federal lands and to provide a location for fire suppression personnel to actively engage a fire safely.

Location of the Rocky Restoration Project on the Barlow Ranger District, Mt. Hood National Forest.

Rocky Restoration Project will support thinning on 7,173 acres of National Forest System lands including 5,398 acres of plantation thinning, 1,740 acres of oak restoration, and 35 acres of aspen enhancement and meadow restoration. The project authorizes 1,323 acres of prescribed burning.

Forest thinning treatments focus on plantation thinning, oak release, and unique habitats including aspen restoration and meadows.

Rocky Restoration Project was the first project that the Wasco County Forest Collaborative worked on in partnership with the Mt. Hood National Forest and Barlow Ranger District. Project planning was initiated in 2015. To learn more about the project visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/projects/archive/48037

Prescribed burn implemented within the Rocky Restoration Project following mechanical thinning and fuels reduction (May 2025).

Prescribed burn implemented near Sportsmen’s Park within the Rocky Restoration Project (May 2025). Controlled burns will be used to maintain the treatments over time.