Reid Divide timber sale proposed on state land west of Whitefish

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is proposing a timber harvest project west of Whitefish near the Reid Divide.  

The proposed Reid Divide Overstory Removal timber sale would occur on State Trust Land about 16 miles west of Whitefish. The DNRC’s Kalispell Unit estimates the project would harvest roughly 1 million board feet of timber across about 290 acres. 

The parcel of State Trust Land is primarily surrounded by Forest Service land, wherein larger logging projects including the Cyclone Bill Project and Round Star Project are underway, pending a revised environmental assessment due to litigation from environmental groups on the latter.  

For comparison, the Flathead National Forest’s Cyclone Bill Project – which is more adjacent to the DNRC’s proposed Reid Divide sale – includes 9,192 acres of commercial timber harvest and 3,139 acres of noncommercial treatments.  

State Trust Lands are required by the Montana Constitution to generate long-term revenue for beneficiary institutions, primarily the Common School Trust. Under state law, the DNRC must seek the largest reasonable return while maintaining sustained yield of forest resources. 

According to the agency, the project’s primary goals include promoting forest health and productivity, removing overstory trees in already regenerated stands, and generating revenue for schools. 

The harvest would use overstory removal prescriptions, a method that removes mature trees while allowing younger trees to continue growing. 

In addition to timber harvesting, the proposal includes maintenance and improvements on about 12 miles of existing roads in the project area. Post-harvest activities could include noxious weed management, pile burning, and pre-commercial thinning to support forest regeneration and reduce wildfire risk. 

The project is currently in the scoping phase of an environmental assessment, meaning project details such as harvest volume, acreage and road work remain preliminary. The DNRC scoping notice states that it will consult with specialists including wildlife biologists, hydrologists, soil scientists and archaeologists before finalizing plans. 

Public comment on the proposal is open through June 25. Comments and suggestions may be submitted in writing to the DNRC Kalispell Unit, addressed to forestry specialist Pete Seigmund at 655 Timberwolf Parkway, Kalispell, MT 59901, or by email at [email protected].