Kalispell, MT July 12, 2021— The Tally Lake Ranger District is seeking comments on the
Jackknife project located northwest of Whitefish, MT approximately one mile west of the
community of Olney. The project proposes to reduce fuels in a 2,071 acre project area to result
in less intense fire behavior near communities to facilitate safer wildland fire operations and
improve the diversity and resilience of the vegetative community. The project is entirely within
the wildland urban interface and all activities would take place on National Forest System lands.
To accomplish the fuels reduction, approximately 1,234 acres of commercial harvest are
proposed and approximately 256 acres of noncommercial treatments would occur. Additionally,
1.4 miles of temporary roads would be constructed to implement the activities. These roads
would be rehabilitated after use.
The Jackknife Project is proposed to be completed using the authority of the Healthy Forest
Restoration Act (HFRA), as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (H.R.
1625), Division O – Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act, Title II,
Section 202. It is likely that a Categorical Exclusion (CE) described under HFRA as amended,
Section 605 will be used to authorize this project; and it may be categorically excluded from
documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
This project would be exempt from the objection process (36 CFR 218 review).
Additional information and maps for the project can be found at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60401. The public should submit co
