In December I was in a restaurant in Libby and overheard people talking about our Forest Service not doing their jobs. On this a Montana friend gave me August “Loggers World.” In Loggers World Letters — a monthly trade journal for the U.S. timber industry — revealed expose by Jim Rathbun, the retired supervisor, Kootenai National Forest, who had written,

“I certainly understand why the Forest Service is a failed agency. I have never seen such poor representation in my 55-year association with the Forest Service.”

I then asked myself, where do you go for answers? “If the Forest Service doesn’t know about or how to deal with ‘certain activities’ (averse to caring for our forests), who does?”

I’m told timber is being cut on Forest Service lands and there is no record of any money being paid for this timber, and I find it puzzling that no permits have been issued giving permission for those taking the timber. Apparently no money was received or permits granted for certain Forest Service “timber sales.” Also, rock has been drilled and blasted and then it is, or was, hauled off federal lands — is this not a crime to do so?

I was also told, “Water is being pumped off Forest Service lands without permits being issued, no reasons being declared, and this water is also not being paid for.” A large amount of water has been removed for more than three years.

Is not the water in the timber watersheds endangering the wildlife, the natural vegetation and endangered bull trout? Does this constant pumping of water annoy grizzly bears and other wildlife? What about humans? Is the forest no longer a quiet and peaceful place?

I then ask, “What happens if the water purification plant fails?” Will not harmful metals such as lead and arsenic get into the forest watershed ecosystem? Could this be like a major oil spill? “Forever!” It’s way too late after it happens, especially when practical measures are taken: “Preventive” cautions like “stop pumping water” unless it’s truly, absolutely necessary! If all the water, rock and timber removal is done without oversight and/or permission by the Forest Service, then what about vehicular traffic in a sanctioned grizzly bear habitat?

Who’s “manning the store” in Northwest Montana?

Rathbun ended, “We need to have the resources on the national forests managed for multiple use. Wildlife, timber (and rock) watersheds, fisheries, recreation, range, etc. all benefit from intensive multiple use management. It has proven. Unfortunately I don’t believe the Forest Service has the leadership or the personnel with the capability to do that. Certainly not the will. 

JOY FRENCH

Kootenai County