Forest project appealed over roads, trails

The Flathead National Forest's Red Meadow forest management project has been appealed, with Montanans for Multiple Use challenging provisions that will close roads and trails.

The project was approved in mid-May for an area in the North Fork Flathead drainage about 30 miles north of Columbia Falls.

It involves logging on about 2,800 acres with an anticipated yield of 4.5 million board feet of saw logs and 2 million to 3 million board feet of small-diameter timber, along with prescribed burning on about 1,100 acres.

But the project also involves restricting about 8 miles of currently open roads to seasonal use; and closing more than 23 miles of trails to motorized vehicles.

The access restrictions are intended to bring the project area in compliance with road density standards for grizzly bear habitat security outlined in forest plan Amendment 19.

Montanans for Multiple Use has long opposed the amendment's provisions, and does so again with an appeal that was filed Monday with the Forest Service.

"We object to the continued long-term, piecemeal, incremental closure of motorized access to multiple use lands in the Flathead National Forest," the group states in the appeal. "We believe cumulative effects of these actions have significant long-term, irreversible, adverse environmental, social and economic effects that far exceed any speculative benefits to grizzly bear(s) or any other wildlife species."

The group claims that Amendment 19 violates several federal laws, including the National Forest Management Act, the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act, and the Organic Act.

Montanans for Multiple Use made similar arguments in a lawsuit that a U.S. District Court judge in Washington, D.C., recently dismissed. The group announced May 7 that it filed a notice of intent to appeal that decision.

Barring litigation or a successful appeal, Flathead Forest officials anticipate the Red Whale project starting this fall.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com