Stimulus package could create jobs on Kootenai National Forest
The federal economic stimulus package could have a positive impact on creating work on the Kootenai National Forest.
Paul Bradford, Kootenai National Forest supervisor, said Wednesday that his office forwarded a list of projects to the regional office.
“It’s all about jobs,” Bradford said. “This is to get people out to work on the woods in construction projects and hazardous fuels projects.”
Bradford, who expects to receive an answer by mid-March on what projects will materialize, said hiring would be done through contracts. In other words, workers would not become federal employees but part of a contracted work force.
“We put in a wide range of projects that we tried to meet the criteria we were given,” Bradford said. “That’s what they’re (now) doing up the line, making sure they meet the criteria.”
Among the criteria is involving projects that do not require review through the National Environmental Policy Act.
“This is all work intended to be shovel-ready and if you’ve got the money and you can go do something,” Bradford said. “We were looking for construction projects that would improve infrastructure.”
In other news from the forest’s monthly meeting with the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors:
• During a regional leadership meeting, Bradford reported that discussion included experimental pairings of forests in an effort to reduce overhead costs. Three current experiments pair up Clearwater and Nez Perce in Idaho, Bitterroot and Lolo, and Gallatin and Custer. The concept of somehow pairing the Flathead and Kootenai was discussed but Bradford said nothing is imminent and he could not imagine how such a scenario could occur with current workloads. “I’d never tell the boss that it’s a good idea,” Bradford said.
• Malcolm Edwards, Libby District ranger, shared a brochure created by the Forest Service entitled, “Informed Choices Regarding Libby Amphibole On the Forest.” The map in the brochure informs the public where higher concentrations of asbestos fibers were found in tree bark and ground layers on the forest. It includes various precautions that can be taken in the areas of recreating, cutting firewood, building a fire and camping, hunting and caring for game. Edwards said there are no closures associated with the area.
• A federal register notice is expected within the next month or two concerning forest planning. In addition, a grizzly bear access amendment in the form of a draft supplemental enviromental impact statement is expected to go public within the next 30 days.
• A Resource Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for March 11. Bradford said discussion will involve projects in the Libby and Troy areas. Another meeting in mid-April will cover north end projects. On RAC member vacancies, Bradford said nominations were submitted and his office had not heard anything back yet.