Clearcut, thinning proposed near Martin Creek

A variety of forest treatment techniques, including clearcuts and thinning, are proposed for the Martin Creek area near Olney in the Tally Lake Ranger District. The Flathead National Forest’s suggested project would impact about 1,500 acres in the 10,800 acre project area.

The purpose of the proposed treatments, the Forest Service said, is improve forest health while also reducing hazardous wildfire fuels. Specific sites will address water quality, wildlife habitat and recreation.

The proposed plan calls for a clearcut on 40 acres about 1.5 miles west of Martin Creek Falls. Commercial thinning is suggested for 264 acres on various parcels in the area. Shelterwood treatment is suggested for 280 acres and sapling thinning is suggested for 641 acres.

Shelterwood and clearcutting are intended to create a new forest. Commercial thinning will leave about 50 to 150 trees per acre. Fire resistant trees, especially western larch, would remain. Prescribed burns are suggested in some areas.

 About 3.4 miles of new permanent roads would be constructed, along with nearly 1 mile of temporary roads. The permanent roads would remain for future use and would not be open to public motorized use.

A user-created trail at Upper Martin Lake will be rehabilitated and construction of about 150 feet of trail is proposed. Camping along Forest Service roads could be restricted in some areas.

A draft environmental assessment is expected to complete this summer.

No large wildfires have burned in the Martin Creek area since 1926. The Forest Service says the current dense, multi-storied forest and high fuel levels put the area at risk for wildfire.

“Wildland fires have been largely absent from the analysis area for almost 90 years,” the Forest Service notes, “which has resulted in higher than natural fuel loading in some areas.”

Mountain pine beetle is not an “epidemic” in the area, but are active, along with dwarf mistletoe. Spruce budworm and needle blight have been prevalent in recent years.

A public field trip to the project area is slated for Monday, April 16 from 3 - 7 p.m. beginning at the Stillwater State Forest office on U.S. 93 in Olney.

The Forest Service is accepting comments on the proposed project until May 7. Send comments to comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us or by calling 758-3508.

Detailed information on this project can by found by clicking a link at the end of this story online at www.whitefishpilot.com.

http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=38754