Kalispell, MT August 17, 2020 – Today, Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele approved a timber, fuels reduction, and water quality improvement forest management project in the Tally Lake Ranger District.
The project will allow commercial timber harvest on approximately 6,000 acres, providing wood products for local mills and reducing forest fuels. An additional 3,000 acres not under commercial contract will also be treated to reduce forest fuels. The Forest will build three miles of temporary and 35 miles of permanent administrative road, some of which will be open to non-motorized public recreation uses when not in use for log hauling purposes. The permanent roads will be used for future timber projects in the area. Dozens of culverts are approved for replacement, removal, or improvement. Those activities will reduce sediment to benefit water quality and aquatic habitat. The project area is located 20 miles north of Whitefish, MT.
The Forest received four objections during the Forest Service 45-day objection process that ended July 6, 2020. Two objections supported the project as written. Two objections expressed concerns about effects to wildlife, the National Environmental Policy Process, and other topics.
More information about the project can be found on the Forest’s website.
