The Flathead National Forest announced today that the Dry Riverside Project has completed the planning process and required consultation with the release of the final decision notice and final environmental assessment.
The decision authorizes approximately 3,726 acres of commercial timber harvest and 3,683 acres of noncommercial vegetation treatments, such as precommercial thinning, prescribed burn, and whitebark pine restoration. The project will improve diversity and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems and vegetation, promote a fire resilient forest, and will contribute wood products to the local economy. The project is along the Hungry Horse Reservoir, on the Hungry Horse and Spotted Bear Ranger Districts of the Flathead National Forest.
“The Dry Riverside Project was developed to manage forest conditions along Hungry Horse Reservoir with a high density of species that are less resilient to wildfire and drought compared to other species. This project will help transition the area to more open Western larch and Western white pine forests – two tree species that are more adapted to wildfire.” said Hungry Horse-Glacier View District Ranger Rob Davies. “In addition to vegetation management work, this project will restore over 700 acres of whitebark pine through increasing genetic diversity and resistance to blister rust. We are excited to see this project moving forward.”
This project completed the pre-decisional administrative review (objections) process and is anticipated to begin implementation in 2027.
For more information about the project, please visit the Dry Riverside project webpage. The decision notice and environmental assessment documents can be found in the project document library.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
Source: USFS
Photo: Pixabay
Montana's outdoor week, in your inbox at 7am Friday.