Timber sale proposed near Olney

Fuel reduction and timber harvest work is proposed to begin this summer on state trust land in the Stillwater State Forest near Olney.

Work on the Good Long Boyle timber sale will take place on five sections of land in the Stillwater River watershed, beginning adjacent to and running south of the Stillwater State Forest office in Olney.

About 500,000 to 1 million board feet will be harvested from the 1,900 acre area. No new roads will be needed to access the sites.

Work on sale design is scheduled to begin this spring, with harvest activity starting this summer and extending into 2015.

Objectives of the project include promoting growth of established regeneration, management of seedtree units from a 2004 timber sale, treatment of forest fuels, promotion of biodiversity, and generating revenue for the school trust.

Comments will be accepted until April 19. Contact Elspeth Pevear by email at epevear@mt.gov, or call 406-881-2674.