Forest Service OKs Bullock's forest proposal

The Forest Service has approved Gov. Steve Bullock’s forest restoration proposal for federal lands across Montana.

Bullock recently nominated about 5 million acres of timberlands across the state, including several regions in the Flathead for more logging and other forest management under the recently passed Farm Bill.

The eligible lands are located in the Swan River watershed, the southern end of the Whitefish Range and the Tally Lake Ranger District.

The Farm Bill allows for a “categorical exclusion” process for certain lands up to 3,000 acres in size. Under the law, a collaborative management process will be used to manage the lands for timber and landscape health rather than a much longer formal environmental review.

Management of those lands still would have to adhere to environmental laws and to the applicable forest plan.

The key difference is that a collaborative process is quicker than a full-blown environmental impact statement or environmental analysis. The exclusion, however, can still be litigated, just like an EA or EIS.

Bullock collaborated with a diverse group of conservation leaders and industry to strike a compromise identifying the specific landscapes nominated for restoration.

The plan has the support of the Blackfoot Challenge, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Kootenai Forest Stakeholders, Montana Logging Association, Montana Trout Unlimited, Montana Wood Products Association, United States Forest Service, Wilderness Society, and the Wildlife Federation.

Some environmental groups, however, have criticized the land selection process, claiming it should have been open to everyone, not just select groups. The Conservation Congress, Wildwest Institute out of Missoula and Friends of the Bitterroot claim the state broke open-meeting laws when it met with some stakeholders without inviting others. A lawsuit filed by Bozeman resident Steve Kelly makes a similar claim.

Local timber interests have said the bill could result in better forest management in the Flathead. Both Sens. Jon Tester and John Walsh supported Bullock’s nominations.

“Montana’s public lands are the driver of local economies across our state, and we must do a better job of restoring forest health and improving habitats,” Walsh said.

“This year’s Farm Bill continues to benefit Montana, with today’s announcement ensuring that more folks get back to work in the woods,” Tester said. “Montana’s forests are key to strengthening our economy, and I’ll keep working with Montanans on the ground to create jobs while responsibly managing our natural resources.”