Payette National Forest

Contact Information

Siuslaw National Forest
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, Oregon 97331

541-750-7000
Fax: 541-750-7234

TTY for hearing & speech impaired:
(Oregon Relay)

Deep Canyons, Deep Wilderness, Deep Snow

The Payette National Forest spans over 2.3 million acres of some of west-central Idaho's most beautiful and diverse country. In one day you can travel from hot desert grasslands through cool conifer forests to snow-capped peaks. Everything from the deep recesses of Hell's Canyon to peaks reaching elevations of almost 9,500 feet. Dry desert grasslands compliment heavily forested acres. Gateways to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness lead the visitor to experience the solitude of seldom traveled trails. To the west is the Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area, the deepest river gorge in North America. Stand on the canyons east rim and in some places you gaze down 8,000 feet to the Snake River that carved this canyon. Gaze across the ten mile wide chasm into the neighboring state of Oregon.

Located entirely within Idaho, the Payette NF shares lands with Adams, Idaho, Valley, and Washington Counties.

Forest entrance sign near river soundwaves Discover Your National Forests Podcast! Transcript

Comment Period Extended for the Golden Hand No. 1 & No. 2 Lode Mining Claims Project DEIS

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Golden Hand No. 1 & 2 Lode Mining Claims (Drilling) Project was released to the public in June. The release of the document triggered the beginning of a 45-day public comment period. Due to the complexity of the document and requests from the public, the Payette National Forest Supervisor has decided to extend the comment period for an additional 30 days. The extension will tentatively begin on August 17 when the extension notice is expected to appear in The Federal Register. Please contact Jeff Hunteman at 634-0434 for the comment deadline or check https://www.federalregister.gov/.

The DEIS is located on the the Golden Hand Project Page . For "Highlights" of the DEIS and the preferred alternative (Alternative C) click HERE. For instructions on how to comment go the Project Page and click on "Cover".

For detailed information about the Wesley Fire, please go to: Inciweb.org

Wesley Fire Information Line: 208-253-3112

Community Fire Updates for the Wesley Fire:

Thursday, September 13, 2012, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Salmon River High School Multi-Purpose Room
Riggins, ID - Will include information on the Sheep Fire.

Additional community meetings:

Friday, Sept. 14 - 7:00 pm, New Meadows High School
Saturday, Sept. 15 - 1:00 pm, Council American Legion Hall
Saturday, Sept. 15 - 7:00 pm, McCall-Donnelly High School

Features

My Day on the South Fork

man and son in river with chinook salmon

Since becoming the Payette’s PAO in early 2008 I’ve heard references to and attended meetings to discuss the Chinook salmon fishing season on the South Fork of the Salmon River (SFSR). A variety of issues capture the attention of the same people for a 2-3 week period every summer. Recreation, Fisheries, Law Enforcement, and Public Affairs come together to prepare for this hectic time of year on the SFSR. Important though it was, I had never actually been on the South Fork during Chinook salmon fishing season. This summer changed that as I accompanied Krassel District Recreation Technician Patti Stieger and Kim Apperson from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) on their daily round of duties in the middle of Chinook salmon fishing season on the South Fork.

GOOD FOR ANOTHER HEAT

Campaign slogans like the one above are beginning to appear more often now that the 2012 elections are only 4 months away. “Vote for Me!” Whether it’s on posters, buttons, bumper stickers, or billboards, campaigning for elections and campaign slogans are as American as Baseball, Rosy the Riveter, and Jazz. Campaign buttons in particular are popular collectibles and have a long history. You might think that political campaign buttons or pins are a modern device, conceived by some astute media consultant. However, it may surprise you that George Washington wore the first campaign button in 1789 at his inauguration in New York.

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