Only 36 percent of KNF eligible for harvest?

Sadly, the new Kootenai National Forest Plan deems 64% of Montana’s most productive forest off limits to timber harvest. Compared to the 1987 plan, this represents a 20% jump in acreage that cannot be harvested. Nearly 1 million acres of viable timber land on the KNF will be officially out of production due to “other” management objectives.

Among other things, controversial Grizzly Bear Amendment road density standards have been adopted. This will require closure of several miles of forest roads, making public access, economic production, and wildfire prevention very difficult.

Motorized access will be immediately prohibited on at least 500,000 acres. Road closures and obliterations in other areas will follow as complex management formulas are implemented throughout the forest.

I spent weeks studying the 1100 page draft last summer. Knowing how critical these lands and resources are to our economy, our environment, and our way of life, I’m forcing myself to grind through the recently released 1400 page final document as well.

New District Ranger, John Gubel, graciously took the time to sit down with me to discuss the plan and answer questions. But even he admits the cumbersome plan is confusing as all get out. He confirmed it is unknown which roads will be removed until projects are proposed on a case by case basis.

Think about this for a moment. How much country do you see when you drive 10-15 miles on your favorite forest road? How much land can you access when you park the rig and take off to hike, hunt, or ride from any given point along that road? Now imagine the road is gone. Not only closed, but permanently obliterated to the point it is un-walkable.

For many local families forest roads provide essential access for hunting, firewooding, berry picking, and a variety of other activities.

Sanders Natural Resource Council and hundreds of local citizens shared these concerns last summer after the draft plan was released. Unfortunately the review and comment period closed in May 2012 -- well before most folks heard about the plan or understood the magnitude of what was being proposed.

Environmental groups have rapidly advanced a trend in road closures and blocked timber sales for decades. Only 36% of the KNF can now be considered for logging projects, despite logging’s proven benefit to people, wildlife, and the environment. But it would be a surprise if environmentalists did not pursue additional closures. They have shown, time and time again, no matter what they get it is never enough.

The sad thing is most of the new restrictions are not being implemented to keep vehicles from roving cross country, or to save the environment.

It was already illegal for motor vehicles to leave designated roads and trails. And today’s logging practices not only produce jobs, but actually enhance the environment by thinning out crowded timber stands, stopping spread of beetle kill, and reducing catastrophic wildfires. In turn, preventing intense wildfires saves wildlife, saves habitat, and keeps all that toxic smoke and ash from entering our air and water.

I like to “get away from it all” as much as anyone. I don’t want to see our forests abused or over-used. But I favor responsible use and I am really concerned about the lost jobs, reduced recreational opportunities, environmental degradation, and vanishing revenues resulting from unnecessary restrictions.

Our communities are already terribly economically depressed. The annual revenues generated by responsible timber harvest on one million acres of the KNF could produce a whole lot of good for local families and public services. Despite its label as “final”, there is one last chance to change the plan. Objections can be submitted until Nov 26, 2013. There is a specific process that must be followed to qualify an objection.

I am working on objections, and will continue to support responsible management, access, and use of our public lands and the important natural resources they hold in any way I can. If you would like to help, please email sen.jfielder@legmt.gov or call 406 210 5944.