KALISPELL, MT., June 15, 2016 – The Spotted Bear Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest is requesting input on the proposed Trail Creek Fire Salvage Environmental Assessment. The project is located two miles east of the Spotted Bear Ranger Station.
The Environmental Assessment contains three alternatives including a no action alternative and two action alternatives. The proposed action (Alternative 2) includes: harvesting 1,351 acres of burned and dead trees; constructing 7.8 miles of new system roads, which would be placed into storage at the conclusion of the project; constructing 5.3 miles of temporary roads; temporarily closing to public wheeled motorized use and over-snow motorized use 32.8 miles of existing road while hauling operations occur; removing one culvert; performing Best Management Practices on 4.5 miles of roads; and planting up to 3,000 acres of conifer trees and 500 acres of shrubs in areas burned by the Trail Creek Fire. Additionally, Alternative 2 would amend the Forest Plan. Alternative 3 responds to concerns raised by the public while still responding to the purposes of, and the needs for, the actions driving the project. In general, Alternative 3 is similar to Alternative 2 but would not amend the Forest Plan and has fewer quantities of some of the proposed actions.
For additional information on the project, you can visit the Flathead National Forest internet site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/projects, or contact the Project Leader, Matt Shaffer, at (406) 758-3508 for additional information.
Comments are requested by July 15, 2016, so that input may be considered when making a decision. A decision will be made in August 2016. Comments should be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider.
Written, hand-delivered, and oral comments can be delivered to Project Leader Matt Shaffer at 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; by fax (406)758-5367; or by phone at (406)758-3508. Please submit comments electronically to: comments-northern-flathead-spotted-bear@fs.fed.us.
