Flathead National Forest will likely begin salvage operations next month in several stands along the North and South forks of the Flathead River that were damaged by the December windstorm.

Hungry Horse-Glacier View District Ranger Robert Davies gave the final approval for the Coal Banks Salvage Project on Sep. 2, authorizing commercial salvage of 110 acres in the Coal Banks area in the North Fork Flathead River corridor, 37 acres near Firefighter Mountain and 81 acres near the Spotted Bear airstrip. 

The work is needed to recover merchantable timber felled during the windstorm and prevent the accumulation of slash and dried logs that can serve as fuels for wildfire and stimulate insect outbreaks, according to project documents. 

Officials approved the project under a categorical exclusion for small-scale salvage operations, allowing them to forgo a public-facing environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.  

Project documents also cited an emergency action determination introduced by the Trump administration in April 2025 which allows the agency to forgo a pre-decisional public objection period. The categorization also qualifies the agency to consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "informally through alternative procedures" to comply with review processes mandated by the Endangered Species Act. 

A review conducted by Forest Service biologists determined that the project "may affect, likely to adversely affect" grizzly bears, which are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. 

"However, [due to] the short-term nature of the activities and locations near existing open motorized routes, the potential for disturbance or displacement of bears is low," wrote officials in the Finding of Applicability and No Extraordinary Circumstance form signed Sep. 2. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 406-758-4433 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.