Conservation project protects 22,000 acres in North Idaho

COEUR d'ALENE — More than 22,000 acres of privately owned working forestland in North Idaho are now permanently protected following the first phase of the Spirit of Mount Spokane Forest Legacy Project.

The effort is a partnership between the Trust for Public Land, Inland Empire Paper Company, the Idaho Department of Lands and the USDA Forest Service.

The conservation easement covers 22,352 acres of forestland in Bonner and Kootenai counties, a Wednesday press release said.

Through the federal Forest Legacy Program, Inland Empire Paper Company voluntarily sold the development rights to the property while retaining ownership and continuing to manage the land for sustainable timber production. $26 million in federal funding through the Forest Legacy Program, 

The project received $26 million in federal funding through the Forest Legacy Program, with Inland Empire Paper Company providing a 25% nonfederal match through donation of easement value.

The agreement ensures the land will remain an actively managed working forest in perpetuity, while also protecting public access, wildlife habitat and regional drinking water resources.

“Protecting working forests like these means protecting the benefits they provide to people and communities,” said David Weinstein with the Trust for Public Land. “This conservation easement keeps these forests working while permanently protecting public access, safeguarding clean drinking water and conserving critical wildlife habitat across the region.”

The easement guarantees free public access for nonmotorized recreation, including hunting, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and berry picking. Motorized access will continue under Inland Empire Paper Company’s existing permit system.

Company President Chris Robinson said the agreement allows the land to remain both productive and protected.

“This land supports a 100% renewable and sustainable natural resource,” Robinson said. “Ensuring this land is protected from future development is a win for the region and the local communities it surrounds.”

Officials say projects like this help limit subdivision and development pressures in fast-growing areas of North Idaho while maintaining large, connected forest landscapes.

Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller said keeping forests intact also helps reduce wildfire risk.

“By preventing fragmentation and development in these forests, we can support active management and help ensure fire protection can be provided with fewer resources,” Miller said.

The project also safeguards a portion of the Spokane Valley — Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. This sole-source aquifer provides drinking water for more than 675,000 people in Spokane County and Kootenai County.