Notice:

Significant flooding in early 2020 washed away the trailhead access road and damaged trails in many places. Work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage and determine future actions. Bureau of Land Management public lands remain open, however ROADS, TRAILS, AND FACILITIES ARE NOT CURRENTLY MAINTAINED AND HAZARDS MAY EXIST. Please use caution when visiting this area.

The South Fork Walla Walla River Trail #3225 is CLOSED due to flood damage. The U.S. Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest, manages the South Fork Walla Walla River Trail under a right-of-way with the Bureau of Land Management. The trail remains closed due to significant washouts, debris slides, hazard trees, bridge damage, and ongoing repair work. Forest users are asked to respect the closures. For more information please contact the U.S. Forest Service, Walla Walla Ranger District, at 509-522-6290.

Click to see the U.S. Forest Service Forest Closure Order.

BLM gathering public input for South Fork of the Walla Walla Area of Environmental Concern Management Plan Revision

Officials with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are seeking public input on ways to update and revise the Management Plan for the South Fork of the Walla Walla (SFWW) Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).

Open house meetings are planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 3, at Walla Walla Community College Water & Environmental Center, 640 Water Center, Walla Walla, WA, and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, November 6, at Milton-Freewater Public Library, 8 SW 8th Ave, Milton-Freewater, OR. There will be no formal presentation, however, specialists will be available to share information, answer questions, and receive comments.

Comments will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. PT Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, and can be submitted emailing them to [email protected] or mailing written comments to BLM Baker Field Office, Attn: Sandra Tennyson, 3100 H Street, Baker City, OR 97814. You may also ask to be added to the mailing list for project updates using either of these methods.

To learn more about the project, go to  https://www.blm.gov/visit/south-fork-walla-walla-river-acec. To view planning documents and learn more about the EA process, visit the ePlanning site: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/home 

Overview:

This area is very special and was designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in 1994. Bureau of Land Management public lands in the South Fork of the Walla Walla River are managed to protect the fisheries, wildlife, riparian, cultural, tribal, and scenic values, and to enhance recreation and public safety.

Know Before You Go:

• ROADS, TRAILS, AND FACILITIES ARE NOT CURRENTLY MAINTAINED AND HAZARDS MAY EXIST.
• THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE SOUTH FORK WALLA WALLA RIVER TRAIL #3225 IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOOD DAMAGE.
• NO MOTOR VEHICLES. Motor vehicles are prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Bureau of Land Management.
• DAY USE ONLY. Overnight camping is prohibited within the ACEC. Camping is available at Harris Park or on Umatilla National Forest lands outside of the ACEC boundary.
• NO SHOOTING. Discharging of firearms is prohibited.
• NO CAMPFIRES or FIREWORKS. Campfires and fireworks are prohibited year-round. Additional fire restrictions may also be in effect. Please contact the Bureau of Land Management for more information.
• “PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.” There is no garbage service. Please take your garbage home with you.