WESTERN
MONTANA PLANNING ZONE
WMPZ
www.fs.fed.us/r1/wmpz/
FLATHEAD, BITTEROOT AND LOLO NATIONAL FORESTS
THE PLAN REVISIONS FOR THREE FORESTS HAVE BEEN
COMBINED UNDER ONE PLANNING TEAM.
THE DRAFT PLAN HAS BEEN RELEASED AND THE COMMENT
PERIOD IS OVER. However, a federal judge has put a stop to all
planning under the new regulations. This litigation by the
greens has not yet been resolved and all plans are on hold until the
dust settles and the FS knows which planning rules it can use.
In the meantime these forests are using the old plans which are at
least 9 years past the statutory date for updating. 06/09
TIMELINE
FOR WMPZ
|
Phase
|
Task
|
Date
|
|
Transition
|
Develop
Preferred Option
|
February,
2005
|
|
Confirm
Preferred Option with Regional Forester
|
March
14, 2005
|
|
Complete
New Management Area map of Preferred Option
|
March
31, 2005
|
|
Regional
Forester Decision about the New Planning Rule
|
May
12, 2005
|
|
Continue
internal and external education about the new planning rule
|
Summer,
2005
|
|
Work
with the public to discuss and refine our proposed forest
plan
|
Release
draft Forest Plan Chapter 1 (Vision, Management Area map
& descriptions) for collaborative discussion
|
June
15, 2005
|
|
Continue
release of other draft forest plan components as they are
developed
|
Summer,
2005
|
|
Complete
pre-draft collaborative phase
|
September
1, 2005
|
|
90
Day Review Period
|
Release
Draft Forest Plan for 90 day public review
|
Fall,
2005
|
|
Final
Plan
|
ON
HOLD
|
Waiting
for outcome of litigation
|
|
Decision
|
ON
HOLD
|
|
After releasing a
proposed action for public comment in the fall of 2003,
several collaborative groups were formed to discuss the proposal
and suggest changes. Go to >>>>Public
Input for more information on these groups.
After Round One of public input
the USFS changed the forest planning rules. WMPZ was given
the option of using the old rules or the new ones. WMPZ
chose to use the new rules. Very soon after that decision
WMPZ released its "Preferred Option" for public
comment. Since the new regulations do not require more than
one alternative, the "Preferred Option" will become the
new plan after some editing and added detail.
The Draft Plan has some big surprises even for those of us who have come to
expect the FS to continue to move towards the extreme positions of
radical environmentalists.
-
A brand new stand alone
recommended wilderness area in the North Fork of the Flathead.
-
Greatly reduced timber
base. Timber base refers to the acreage managed
primarily for timber harvest.
-
Greatly increased
semi-primitive non-motorized acreage.
-
Proliferation of Wild and
Scenic Rivers recommendations for creeks as well as rivers.
NEW MANAGEMENT
AREA DESCRIPTIONS
• 1.1 Designated
Wilderness
Theme – Wilderness Areas are designated by
Congress and managed to protect and perpetuate their natural
state...
• 1.2 Recommended
Wilderness
Theme – Recommended wilderness areas are those
areas that the Forest Service has recommended to Congress for
inclusion in the Wilderness System. Until Congressional
action is taken they will be managed to protect their wilderness
characteristics...
• 2.1 Designated and
Eligible Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers
Theme -- Segments of rivers that Congress has
designated or USFS has recommended for inclusion in Wild, Scenic
and Recreational river system.
• 2.2 Backcountry
Areas
Theme – Backcountry areas are
generally roadless landscapes that are natural appearing with
little or no evidence of recent human-caused disturbance. These
areas are generally suitable for non-motorized recreation
opportunities in a natural-appearing landscape. Ecological
processes such as natural succession, fire, and insects and
disease, are allowed to function with little human influence...
• 3.1
Special Interest Areas, Special Areas, and Experimental Forests
and National Recreation Areas
The primary distinctions between
these four designations are:
• Special Interest
Areas protect unique scientific values, and only foster use where
appropriate.
• Special Areas have
recreation as an underlying value.
• Experimental Forests
provide for management-based research.
• National Recreation
Areas are Congressionally designated areas with high recreation
values and are managed to protect and enhance public recreation
use.
• 3.2 Research Natural
Areas
Theme – Research Natural Areas (RNA) form a
network of representative forest habitats, ... that have special
or unique characteristics of scientific importance.
• 3.3 General
Forest: Mixed Use Emphasis, Low Intensity Management
Theme -- They are generally suitable for managing
vegetation at low intensities, although initial entries in areas
with moderate to high fuels may be managed more intensively to
reduce the hazard. Management in these areas emphasizes ecosystem
management goals using a wide variety of methods.
• 4.1 General
Forest: Mixed Use Emphasis, Moderate Intensity Management
Theme – Moderate Intensity General Forest (and
non-forested) areas emphasize a balance of sustainable ecosystems
and resource uses with lands that are suited for timber
production. These areas are generally suitable for providing a mix
of fish and wildlife habitat; a relatively natural visual quality
setting with moderate evidence of human management activity; a
wide range of recreational opportunities, and a variety of other
goods and services. Landscapes appear modified.
• 5.1 General
Forest: Mixed Use Emphasis, High Intensity Management
Theme – High Intensity General Forest (and
non-forested) areas are generally suitable for providing a broad
mix of forest products.
5.2 Residential and
Forest Intermix
These areas are characterized by public lands
intermingled with private lands where private use and developed
residential use adjoins National Forest System lands.
• 6.1 High Use
Recreation Complexes or Use Areas
Theme – Recreation use is the
priority of these management areas.
