A new forest project is planned on 22,738 acres of state land straddling Montana 83 in Lake County.

The proposed Squeezer Meadow timber sale is on Swan River State Forest land 9 miles south of Swan Lake. The work would occur near Cilly Creek, Soup Creek, Napa Creek, Goat Creek and Squeezer Creek.

Harvest is expected on approximately 10 to 30 percent of the gross sale area, with the work taking place between 2025-2028, according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation scoping notice.

Lands involved in this proposed project are held by the state in a trust that supports Montana’s Common Schools grades K-12. The state is required by law to manage school trust land, “to produce the largest measure of reasonable and legitimate return over the long term for these beneficiary institutions.”

The state is seeking public comment on the timber sale through May 13. State forest officials will evaluate the comments as part of the Environmental Impact Statement process.

People can submit comments to Chad Blanchard, Forester Management Supervisor, Swan River State Forest, via mail at 34925 MT Highway 83, Swan Lake, MT, 59911, by calling 406-754-2301, or e-mail at [email protected].