Officials are moving forward with plans to thin a section of forest surrounding powerlines near Blacktail Mountain despite findings that the project would adversely affect two federally protected species.

The project is likely to adversely affect grizzly bears and whitebark pine, according to a decision signed Dec. 23 by Forest Service officials. Both species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. 

Flathead National Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello approved an emergency action determination for the Blacktail Flathead Electric Powerline Corridor Project above Lakeside, allowing officials to circumvent many of the administrative reviews that typically precede forestry projects, including the production of a full environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. 

The accelerated process was introduced under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March. 

Flathead National Forest sent a biological assessment for the project to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Sept. 3, according to the decision notice. The federal agency had not provided a corresponding biological opinion as of Dec. 4. 

Officials requested “emergency consultation procedures” with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but the decision notice authorizes the project to commence in spring 2026 even if the two agencies do not meet beforehand. 

Canadian lynx and wolverines may be affected, but are not likely to be adversely affected, according to the decision notice. The document also states that the project “may or will affect waters, including wetlands,” though it is unclear what effects are predicted to occur.  

“Modifications/design features have been included to ensure compliance with Clean Water Act is met,” wrote officials in the decision notice. 

Work is expected to continue through 2031 and will include the removal of hazard trees and fuels on 364 acres along the Blacktail powerline. Log hauling will be restricted on weekends during the winter to avoid conflict with skiers.  

"The purpose of the project is to improve forest resilience and increased electrical grid reliability while decreasing the likelihood of a tree strike that would result in a powerline-caused fire,” reads the decision notice. 

Project scoping included a public comment in May 2025. Only three comments were received, all of them in favor of the project. 

Flathead National Forest did not respond to a request for comment on the decision notice by press time. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].