Forest Service agencies are gearing up for a busy summer with a number of projects in the works. Nate Kegel, and Carole Johnson with the Superior Ranger District met on separate occasions, with County Commissioners regarding the status of several projects in the Superior Ranger District. There was also a community meeting with the Ninemile Ranger District regarding updates on the Soldier Butler fuels reduction project, as well as other projects in the area.

Nate Kegel, Forest Service engineer for the Superior Ranger District, received approval from the Commissioners to move forward with three proposals. The projects include Camels Hump Road, 12 Tamarack, and Cedar Creek Road. Kegel reported that they have a project agreement for the removal of rock for safety reasons, on Camels Hump road.

The analysis is completed on 12 Tamarack, which is a 69,000-acre project located northwest of St. Regis. This is an integrated forest resource project that includes vegetation management, big game winter range maintenance, watershed improvements, fuel reduction, and recreation enhancements. Project activity includes road decommissioning; fuel treatments; forest vegetation improvements; dispersed recreation management; species habitat improvements; tail management; noxious weed treatments; road maintenance; road improvements/construction; timber sales (green); and watershed improvements.

According to the USDA Forest Service website, there were a number of public comments on the original environmental assessment, and updates were made to the project. Forest Supervisor Tim Garcia signed the final Decision Notice on April 26. Documentation states the Selected Action remains unchanged since the publication of the draft Decision Notice in January 2016.

The Deputy Regional Forester, who served as the reviewing officer, determined that the Forest had adequately addressed the objection points in the 12 Tamarack Environmental Assessment, draft Decision Notice, and Project File. He concluded that the project is in full compliance with all applicable laws and the Forest Plan and no further review from any other Forest Service or USDA official to the objection is available. The documents also state that implementation may begin immediately.

Objections to the environmental statement included the effects on migratory birds, concerns over noise affecting recreation, and the cost and feasibility of the project.

What did change on the project was the decommissioning of roads. Garcia stated that he dropped the decommissioning of roads located near the gravel pit at the top of Twelvemile Creek.

“I have decided to make the modifications to retain motorized access for fire suppression actions and/or public recreation. All roads except #1192 are open at least part of the year to public motorized travel, although some are currently not drivable due to vegetation. These roads are located in ridgetop/upper slope locations and do not contain any live stream crossing,” said Garcia, in the 12 Tamarack Project Decision Notice.

The final project Kegel brought before the Commissioners was Cedar Creek road. It has been approved and the project agreement will allow them to at begin. This will include some ditch cleaning, put gravel down, and recondition the road bed.

Kegel also noted that the county fisheries biologist would like to see the pavement extended to avoid sediment into the creek. Also, the Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee approved work on the Olympian trail from Haugan to Deborgia, and maybe to Henderson, depending on available funds. He hopes to get an agreement in place and so they can move forward by September.

Carole Johnson told the Commissioners that long-time Forest Service employee, Beth Kennedy, would be retiring from her position with the recreation program. She will leave at the end of September.

“She will be hard to replace,” said Johnson.

In her report, Johnson said there was some prescribed burning on the west end, near Deboria, on May 13. Her department is also getting campgrounds ready for Memorial weekend. She also mentioned that the Thompson Peak Lookout will be getting a new roof this summer. Earlier this month, there were wildfire training session with LEPC members, and fire chiefs, in Missoula. Due to the number of recent fire fatalities, the approach to fighting wildfires is more cautious.

She said that they are emphasizing ‘life first’, and a ‘don’t stand alone’ philosophies.

“There’s more to the process than what you might think. Responders need to talk to family members, be a liaison between the fire victims and the hospital, do paperwork, investigate situations, and make arrangements with the family,” Johnson said.

There will be a field trip for Red Bull on June 28. Vans will be available for the trip and they will meet at St. Regis Community Center at 9 a.m. and then make three or four stops on the tour. Johnson mentioned several other projects that are currently being addressed, including Murphy Creek. This 120-acre proposed project includes vegetation and recreation management activities to reduce bark beetle susceptibility, and respond to public desires for a gentle, non-motorized trail near town. A decision on this project is expected in July, with implementation in September of 2016.

On May 17, the Ninemile Ranger District hosted a community meeting to update residents in the area on the proposed Soldier Butler fuels reduction project located near Ninemile Road. The meeting also gave local residents the opportunity to learn about other projects planned in area, and upcoming recreational activities. The Ninemile District includes the areas of Petty Creek, Alberton, Fish Creek, and Tarkio in Mineral County, as well as the west end of Missoula County.