The Bitterroot National Forest is proposing to cut timber on 2,113 acres in the upper reaches of Three Mile and Ambrose Creek drainages under a stewardship project that will send about 6 million board feet of timber to Montana mills.
Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King signed the decision notice on the Three Saddle Project last week. Her signature officially started a 45-day appeal and comment period for the stewardship project that proposes to log 1,255 acres and non-commercially thin another 469 acres.
The project would decommission more than 10 miles of road, as well as use prescribed fire to reduce fuel loading on some of the acreage. “It’s sort of a soup to nuts sort of project,” said Bitterroot Forest planning staff officer Jerry Krueger.
If the project is not appealed, the agency will offer it for sale in August or September. The first logging could begin later this fall.
The project focuses on improving forest health and stand resiliency in the area, Krueger said.
From The Ravalli Republic: https://www.ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_e7c54c50-b201-11e2-a1cc-0019bb2963f4.html