New-look Cedar Creek forest project seeks public comment

The Norman McCedar timber project just outside Libby has seen a few changes since it was first put out for public comment in 2023.

The Libby Ranger District is again seeking input on the proposed plan in the Cedar and Parmenter Creek area. 

The goals haven’t changed in terms of reducing fuel loadings and improving access to facilitate safer wildfire operations as well as improving the diversity and resilience of vegetation in the area that has been designated a high priority fireshed located entirely within the wildland urban interface.

The area is located about one mile southwest of Libby.

“The area is still a very high fire risk near Libby where people live and have properties,” Project Leader Lisa Osborn said.

According to Osborn, some of the units set for new roads and harvest on the west edge were dropped due to the direction of grizzly bear management. Some of the units set for commercial timber harvest that were located closer to the wilderness boundary were also removed from the original plan.

But a new part of the current proposal would allow for the construction of a new trailhead and parking area for horse trailers as well as an increase in the time FS roads 4727 and 402 are open.

The new trailhead and parking area would be located at the end of Road 4727. That road and the 402 road would also be open from July 1 to Oct. 14.

Currently, the roads are open from July 1 to Aug. 30.

In terms of security and other effects on big game animals, such as elk, moose and mule deer, cover would be reduced by opening the tree canopy and leaving more foraging habitat. They also say cover would remain abundant.

During timber operations, public use of roads would be restricted by existing, new or temporary gates.

The proposed changes in the project would also decrease the amount of acres where timber harvest would occur.

In last year’s proposal, 2,577 acres were set for commercial treatment and 1,054 acres would be non-commercial harvest.

In the 2024 proposal, 2,234 acres are planned for commercial harvest and 937 acres of non-commercial harvest.

The proposal also includes harvest on 111 acres of old growth stands. 

Forest officials say short-term effects to old growth stands would include the retention of large old trees, a decrease in the number of smaller trees and the safe reintroduction of fire into those stands. 

According to the agency’s environmental assessment, “the modified stand structure and fuel complex that results from the activities would increase the resistance of the large trees to potential mortality from disturbances and stressors that include high intensity wildfire, bark beetle attacks or potential climate change impacts such as more frequent or intense droughts) in the long-term.”

According to a 2023 GIS analysis by Matt Bienkowski, the operations supervisor for the Kootenai National Forest, there are nearly 1,000 structures within 1.5 miles of the project area and nearly 3,000 within three miles. Within one-half mile, there are 179 structures, 413 within one mile, 939 within 1.5 miles and 2,980 within three miles.

Bienkowski also pointed out that there is also a major Bonneville Power Authority transmission line and BNSF rail line within one-quarter mile of the project area.

Osborn said the Forest Service is hoping for a signed decision notice by the end of 2024 with work beginning in 2025.

For more information on how to comment or to view the notice of the environmental assessment and supporting documentation, please visit the project page on the Kootenai National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63419. 

Comments will be accepted for 30 days following the public notification of the legal notice in the Missoulian on Aug. 6.

Additional information can be obtained from Lisa Osborn, Project Leader, at 406-405-1792 or lisa.osborn@usda.gov.