Fuel reduction project OK'd

PRIEST RIVER — A fuel reduction project combining timber harvest and prescribed burns has been approved by the U.S. Forest Service.

Mary Farnsworth, forest supervisor of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, has signed the Record of Decision for the Lakeview-Reeder Fuels Reduction Project. The project authorizes 2,319 acres of fuel reduction treatment involving timber harvest and an additional 1,179 acres of prescribed fires. Implementation of this project will provide important forest health improvements while reducing the risk of wildfire for local communities.

“This important project has been under analysis for several years, but it could not have been made possible without the support and commitment of our partners in the local communities,” said Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor Mary Farnsworth.

The Lakeview-Reeder Project was initially decided in 2010, but due to simultaneous court decisions on similar projects in Idaho and Montana the Idaho Panhandle National Forests decided to rescind the original decision to include further scientific analysis for the project. The additional analysis and decision ensures that the Lakeview-Reeder Project includes the best available science and has the greatest likelihood of preventing catastrophic wildfires from impacting local communities.

“The primary purpose of this project is to reduce the wildfire risk on national forest lands in the general vicinity of Nordman, Idaho, and near Granite Creek, Kalispell Creek, Reeder Creek and Reeder Bay residential areas along the west side of Priest Lake,” said Brian Tritle, acting Priest Lake District Ranger.  “Additionally, the commercial timber harvest component of the project is expected to provide 15 million board feet of timber for the local economy.”

Tritle added, “Staff from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests worked with adjacent landowners, community-based groups, local rural fire departments, the Bonner County fire mitigation committee, county emergency management staff, and local and regional environmental groups for over five years to develop a plan that will reduce the risk of wildfire and enhance the ability of firefighters to safely and successfully fight a wildfire.”

The Record of Decision and all other supporting documents are available on the Forest Service website at: www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/eco/manage/nepa/index.html.   If you would like more information, have questions, or if you would like to receive a copy of the Fuels Reduction ROD, please contact A.J. Helgenberg (Project Leader) at the Sandpoint Ranger District (208) 265-6643 or ajhelgenberg@fs.fed.us