Forest plan continuing as proposed

Work is continuing on track for a February release of a proposed management plan for the Kootenai National Forest despite opposition from environmental advocates to a change in designation for 89,000 acres to "wild lands" instead of proposed wilderness, KNF supervisor Bob Castaneda told the Lincoln County Commissioners Wednesday.

Castenada's decision in October to change the proposed wilderness designation was applauded by motorized recreationists but booed by wilderness proponents. Snowmobilers noted that the revision would allow them to keep riding in traditional areas such as Northwest Peaks, which is designed a special use area. While Castaneda said wild lands are no less protected than recommended wilderness, environmentalists complained that the designation doesn't carry standards that can be enforced in court.

The designation change was supported by the commissioners, who wrote to regional forester Gail Kimball that the new classification provides protection without perpetuating a designation requiring Congressional action and does not obstruct future classification changes for individual areas.

Castaneda told the commissioners Wednesday that Kimball has been inundated with calls from environmentalists asking her to overturn his decision. He said he will be discussing the issue with Kimball and while the regional forester has some influence, forest planning

decisions ultimately lie with the local forest supervisor. He said he understands the need for some consistency at the regional level, but in some areas each forest is unique.

Commissioner John Konzen said he's bothered by people lobbying the regional forester directly instead of following the procedure set up for the planning process, which encouraged input at the local level.

"That's not what we were supposed to be doing," he said. "We were supposed to be working within our own county, solving issues within our own county."

Castaneda said he told Kimball there is considerable local support for the wild lands designation.

"For every criticism of what I've done, I've probably heard two or three positives," he said.

Comments currently coming in on the designation change won't derail efforts to present the plan for public review starting in February, Castaneda said.

"During that 90-day comment period, I'll try to figure out if people want to get together again and talk about it," he said.

The new plan will guide forest management for the next 15 years. Maps showing the new management areas are available at the supervisor's office.