Forest Stakeholders thank governor

The Kootenai Forest Stakeholders would like to thank Montana Gov. Steve Bullock for his nomination of the Kootenai National Forest lands we recommended for consideration under the new provisions of the Farm Bill. 

The Farm Bill provisions allow for governors to nominate National Forest priority landscapes in their respective states that are in need of treatment to improve forest health conditions. Projects within these priority landscapes will then be eligible for a streamlined process of project implementation if they have a collaborative group that is actively participating with the Forest Service in identification and design.     

The coalition is such a collaborative group. We are a citizen-based collaborative that is comprised of loggers, mill owners, conservationists, business owners, local governments, educators, fire management personnel, and citizens at large concerned with land management activities on the forest. Our request was for the designation of each ranger district on the Kootenai National Forest as a priority landscape with the understanding that congressionally restricted lands are exempt and work must be done consistent with forest plans. This district-wide approach will allow us maximum flexibility to take full advantage of our working group.  

We believe that the tools outlined in the Farm Bill offer a great opportunity for collaboratives to work in partnership with the Forest Service to address the reduction in forest resiliency that is prevalent on the Kootenai National Forest and other national forests across our state. 

There was a very short window allowed for governors to submit these landscape nominations. The governor and the working group he assembled to solicit input from groups such as ours deserves praise and recognition for their efforts. We are eager to begin working with the Kootenai National Forest to seize the opportunity made available by the Farm Bill, and a governor with the courage to champion healthy forests —and the communities that benefit from them.   

Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Executive Board includes, Robyn King, Yaak Valley Forest Council; Tim Dougherty, Idaho Forest Group; Paul McKenzie, F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber; Paul Rumelhart, Kootenai River Development Company; and Ed Levert, Lincoln County forester.