Forest Plan may be good for Scotchman Peaks

THOMPSON FALLS – The Sanders County Commissioners received an update Thursday on the forest plan for the Kootenai National Forest and how it may affect the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness area.

The plan, an updated version of the 1987 plan, will manage the forest for the next few decades to come. Recently released, it will affect acreage in Sanders County and is open to a 60-day public review period.

Doug Ferrell, a board member of the Montana Wilderness Association, explained the forest plan held both similar acreage and approach as the 1987 forest plan did.

The Friends of Scotchman Peaks have been trying to get the wilderness area spanning the Idaho and Montana border a congressional designation as wilderness. This would help preserve the wild terrain, one of the largest in the region. The current forest plan recommends that this process is undertaken.

“The Scotchmans have been recommended as wilderness since the process started way, way, way back,” said Ferrell. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean Congress has to act. The Forest Service recommendation is a good step forward and a good acknowledgement but not necessarily a vital piece of how things might end up.”

Ferrell explained there are some favorable things for the people of Montana. He explained that both Jon Tester and Max Baucus have different wilderness bills based on “extensive work in the communities and agreements amongst diverse groups.”

Polling of the wilderness bills show over 70 percent support statewide for both bills.

“It’s remarkable how it crosses age barriers, geographical barriers, even political party barriers,” said Ferrell.

With support of wilderness in the house, Scotchman Peaks may have an easier road ahead of them.

“That would be a most helpful path forward is to have some favorable treatment in the house,” said Ferrell.

Ferrell, a conversationalist himself, said his take is very similar to what is outlined in the plan.

According to Ferrell, The Friends of Scotchman Peaks are continuing their efforts to outreach to the community by doing presentations and holding appearances at public events.

Currently the organization has over 4,400 friends from Montana, North Idaho and Washington.