Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Plan Programmatic Environment Assessment

The Bureau of Reclamation is developing a programmatic environmental assessment to describe and analyze Reclamation’s federal actions to support emergency stabilization and rehabilitation treatments implemented after wildfire within public lands administered by Reclamation’s Ephrata Field Office in Washington state. This programmatic EA addresses the need to streamline National Environmental Policy Act analysis for wildfire recovery actions and more quickly address post-fire public safety concerns, repair infrastructure, minimize degradation of natural and cultural resources, and rehabilitate resources where degradation occurs. Following a decision on this programmatic EA, Reclamation can act on specific emergency response actions needed to address impacts of individual wildfires covered under this analysis, either by tiering to this EA or through additional NEPA documentation.

This programmatic EA addresses the need to streamline NEPA analysis for wildfire recovery actions in the Ephrata field office to more quickly address post-fire public safety concerns, repair infrastructure, and rehabilitate areas where resource degradation occurs. Two alternatives are addressed in the draft programmatic EA: the proposed action and no action alternative. The proposed action would implement a programmatic approach to post-wildfire recovery, expanding the range of allowable treatments (e.g., drill seeding, and native plant restoration) to improve response efficiency and effectiveness. Under the no action alternative, Reclamation would continue to rely on limited, non-ground-disturbing treatments (e.g., broadcast seeding, straw wattles, chemical weed treatments), which may delay or reduce the effectiveness of recovery efforts.

Reclamation invites the public to review and comment on the draft programmatic EA. Additionally, this serves to provide notice and request public input on potential effects on historic properties in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The 15-day public comment period is open from Jan. 16 to Jan. 31, 2026. Written comments can be sent to Shawna Castle, NEPA lead, Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 N. Curtis Road, Boise, ID 83706. Comments also are accepted via email to scastle@usbr.gov. All comments must be post marked/submitted by Jan. 31, 2026.

Contact

Shawna Castle
NEPA Lead
208-519-0311
scastle@usbr.gov

Bureau of Reclamation
Columbia–Pacific Northwest Region
1150 N. Curtis Road
Boise, Idaho 83706