Tag Archives: Flathead National Forest

Flathead Forest launching series of stimulus projects

News, ,

From today’s Daily Inter Lake . . .

The Flathead National Forest is launching a series of federal stimulus projects this summer, some of which will cause temporary access changes across the forest.

“We are doing so much improvements that the public is going to like this and appreciate it. They will be very noticeable,” said Denise Germann, the forest’s public affairs officer.

However, Germann said there will be temporary inconveniences at some locations, and that is why the forest is engaged in a outreach effort to inform the public about where construction activity is under way.

“We highly encourage forest users to plan ahead, and visit our website or contact us directly regarding temporary closures and access changes this summer and next,” she said.

Read the full article . . .

Appeals court: Flathead NF managed road work, grizzly habitat properly

Environmental Issues, News, ,

From today’s online edition of the Missoulian . . .

Federal officials did a good job of balancing road work and grizzly bears in the Flathead National Forest, according to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“It’s a very significant victory for us,” Flathead forest planning staff officer Rob Carlin said Wednesday. “It supports us in the direction we’ve been taking at the Flathead.”

The court combined two cases involving road removal in areas burned in the 2003 wildfires. One was in the Roberts/Wedge fire along the North Fork of the Flathead River, and the other was along the west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir. Both areas have large grizzly bear populations and are covered by special forest plan rules for how many miles of road are allowed in grizzly habitat.

Read the entire article . . .

Fire crews staying busy in Flathead National Forest

Fire Information and Status, News,

Yesterday’s Daily Inter Lake had a good summary of fire activity in the Flathead National Forest, including the lightning-caused Ninko Creek fire just north of Whale Creek . . .

The Flathead National Forest has three wildfires on its hands, along with several prescribed fire projects.

Lightning that moved through the area earlier this week triggered the Ninko Creek Fire in the North Fork Flathead drainage and the Ashley Divide fire just west of Kalispell.

Read the entire article . . .

Flathead National Forest to receive improvement funds

News, ,

According to an article in today’s Missoulian, national forests throughout Montana are scheduled to receive a big pot of stimulus fund money for general improvements to infrastructure.

Flathead National Forest is getting money to fix up a number of cabins — finally — and explicit funding for trails maintenance. Here are the applicable bullet points from the article:

– Trail maintenance and reconstruction in the Flathead, Kootenai and Lolo national forests in partnership with the Student Conservation Association and Montana Conservation Corps in Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders counties, $2.995 million.

– Undertake deferred maintenance projects, including replacing roofs, windows, shutters, appliances, propane heaters and floor coverings, in six cabins in the Flathead National Forest in Flathead County, $186,000.

Read the entire article . . .

Updated rules in effect for travel on three forks of Flathead

News,

Planning on a float trip down the North Fork? Better check the new regulations in effect this year. They cover such things as trash disposal (including — *ahem* — “solid human waste”), safety equipment and fire restrictions. More information is available on the Flathead National Forest web site and in a press release titled “River Enthusiasts Reminded to be Prepared“.

Flathead National Forest to get 13.3 million in stimulus funds

News,

Looks like we are finally getting some hard numbers on stimulus fund spending for the Flathead National Forest — not to mention an actual project list.

From today’s Flathead Beacon . . .

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced Tuesday that more than $228 million in stimulus funds will be used to improve U.S. Forest Service land. Of that, $13.3 million is heading to the Flathead National Forest, according to Forest Supervisor Cathy Barbouletos.

“We are pleased to be able to complete some deferred maintenance and improvements across the forest and facilitate this funding in Flathead County and Northwest Montana,” Barbouletos said in a prepared statement Wednesday.

Read the entire article . . .

Flathead National Forest project funding meeting April 15th

News,

Some federal economic stimulus money will be allocated to projects in the Flathead National Forest. According to an article in today’s Daily Inter Lake, a “meeting at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce from 7 to 9 a.m. April 15 will explain the funding as well as the scope and type of projects for which the money is intended.” There will also be “information on the process the Forest Service is using to get potential bidders involved.”

The meeting will be held in the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s conference room. Interested attendees should call 758-2800 by April 14th to reserve a seat.

It will be interesting to see what projects the Forest Service is proposing.