Coal Banks Salvage Project to address windstorm damage

The Flathead National Forest is planning for the Coal Banks Salvage Project, located in three areas within the National Forest – near the confluence of Coal Creek and the North Fork Flathead River, the Firefighter Mountain area, and along the South Fork Flathead River near the Spotted Bear airstrip.  

This project would recover economic value from downed trees, reduce the risk of wildfire, and reestablish forested conditions.  

The project proposes 110 acres of salvage harvest and active management at Coal Creek, 37 acres near Firefighter, and 81 acres near Spotted Bear airstrip, totaling approximately 228 acres of commercial harvest and post-harvest fuel treatments to address stands of trees damaged by the windstorm. The project also targets hazardous fuel buildup adjacent to private land.

“The Coal Banks Salvage Project is in response to noteworthy windthrow caused by the windstorm last December,” said Hungry Horse-Glacier View District Ranger Rob Davies. “Some areas of the forest were hit hard, and these areas were particularly impacted. Some of the downed trees are large enough to have merchantable value and the wind’s impact in these stands will leave the door open to a high intensity wildfire. 

"These salvage treatments will recover the economic value in the areas impacted by the windstorm while reducing wildfire risk," he added.  

The project will likely be analyzed under 7 CFR Part 1b.4(d)(36), which is described as: Salvage of dead and/or dying trees not to exceed 250 acres, requiring no more than 1⁄2 mile of temporary road construction. The Coal Banks Salvage project will use the emergency authorities authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture under Section 40807 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  

Provide input on the proposal by July 13 by emailing: [email protected]

For more information about the project, please visit the project webpage at fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/projects/342314.