Lake Five Project Environmental Assessment available for comment
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: April 21, 2021

Kalispell, MT April 21, 2021 – The Flathead National Forest, Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District, has released the environmental assessment for the Lake Five Project. The project area is 11,854 acres and located on National Forest System lands between the towns of Coram and West Glacier, Montana.

The project proposes management activities to address the following resource objectives: reduce tree densities and fuel loadings within the wildland-urban interface; improve the diversity and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems and vegetation; and provide a mix of forest products to contribute to economic sustainability.

To achieve this, the project proposes commercial timber harvest on up to 1,882 acres and noncommercial vegetation treatments on up to 351 acres.  Approximately 5 miles of system roads would be placed on the NFS road system following construction but closed to public motorized travel by various means, and 1.3 miles of temporary roads would be built and reclaimed following use.  Additional transportation proposals include over 20 miles of best management practices applied to existing roads and 1.8 miles of road decommissioning.

“We are excited to work with the community and local landowners in this important area where the National Forest surrounds private land and homes,” says Hungry Horse District Ranger Rob Davies. “The proposed treatments will help reduce fire intensity in an area that has recently seen large fires, creating a safer environment for firefighters and the public.”

The release of the Environmental Assessment starts a 30-day comment period for the public to review the document, ask questions about the proposed activities, and provide comments to the Forest Service. Comments will be accepted through May 20 and will be used to refine the draft decision for the project. The public can review the documents and instruction for how to provide comment on the Flathead National Forest’s project page here.

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