Good Neighbor Authority projects begin near Libby

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Kootenai National Forest, will begin timber harvest operations this winter on two Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) projects south of Libby in Lincoln County.   

The Snowshoe Granite 1000 Roadside Fuel Break project aims to reduce wildfire risk to nearby homes and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface by removing hazardous fuels and creating shaded fuel breaks along the Granite Creek, Snowshoe, and Deep Creek road systems west of U.S. Highway 2, creating a primary line of defense against wildfire. This work will also improve forest health and resilience to insects and disease.  

The project underwent National Environmental Policy Act analysis led by the USFS with support from DNRC, and a final decision was issued in April 2025. After the decision, two separate timber contracts were awarded to carry out mitigation work: GNA ImPeckable Project to Stimson Lumber Company and the GNA Deep Trouble project to Idaho Forest Group Timber LLC. Revenue generated from GNA timber sales go directly back to the program to complete restoration work.   

“This project was brought forward by Lincoln County and demonstrates a partnership built to accomplish important work in and around the community of Libby,” said DNRC GNA forester, Jodi Turk.  

Established under the 2014 Farm Bill, GNA allows states, counties and tribes to enter into agreements with federal agencies to conduct restoration work on National Forest System Lands. For more information on Good Neighbor Authority, visit: https://dnrc.mt.gov/goodneighborauthority