Moose Fire Salvage

As predicted the Moose Fire FEIS has reduced the amount of salvaged timber one more time. They started out talking about 4300 out of 35,000 burnt acres to be logged. That was reduced to 3200 acres in the DEIS. The Flathead NF is now proposing to salvage 2266 acres. Originally some of the loggers commented that helicopter logging of burnt timber is too dangerous and might not find a buyer. 59% of the proposed salvage is helicopter logging because Flathead NF is afraid to put a road building cat on the ground. The reductions of salvage timber appear to be in response to environmentalist’s complaints. If the helicopter logging doesn’t sell because it is dangerous and the timber has already lost much of its value, we will have 922 acres left to log. It would not surprise me a bit if the greenies appealed even that little dab of timber and we might end up with enough to build a doghouse if we are lucky. Did I mention that the total amount of road rip was not reduced one bit even though WE complained long and loud about that foolish and short sighted proposal?

The Record of Decision finally settled on a little over 2000 acres for salvage logging.  Unsatisfied with this defeat of common sense use  and good stewardship of our resources, the greens are reportedly threatening to sue for more road rip.

Montanans For Multiple Use appealed this decision, but our appeal was denied

If you can help with a donation for our legal fund, please go to our donations page for more information.  

These maps came out during the scoping phase of NEPA planning.  The logging areas have been reduced considerably since then.  Road Rip and road closure remains about the same. 

Click on images to enlarge

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