FOREST PLAN REVISION PROPOSED ACTION
At the start of plan revision in the spring of
2004 WMPZ published a proposed action that presented a list of
issues and the proposed actions to address those issues.
This was before WMPZ switched to the new regulations.
This is our summary of the Proposed Action for the new
Flathead Forest Plan Revision. To see the complete rendition of the FNF
Proposed Action or to learn more about the revision process go to www.fs.fed.us/r1/wmpz/
ACCESS MANAGEMENT
OHV and SNOWMOBILE
Ö More restrictive.
Ö All user built routes closed unless designated open
Ö Current restrictions retained including the new closures on snowmobiles
on the Flat- head
ROADS
Ö
Road obliteration "Continue the overall
trend of decreasing the amount of roads"
Ö "This direction would mainly focus on reducing the miles of
road."
Ö "...better integrate social concerns (about roads) with
recovery needs of the grizzly bear." This may be an opportunity to
open some roads.
BICYCLES
Ö
Restricted to designated routes
ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Ö
"…fully incorporate ecosystem
management principles." Apparently to the detriment of mandated
multiple use management.
FIRES
Ö
More prescribed burns
OLD GROWTH
Ö
Return to historical conditions
Ö Standardize definitions for all 3 forests
Ö Restore and maintain Old Growth
WILDLIFE HABITAT
Ö
ID and manage for habitat linkages
INFISH
Ö
Modify INFISH & PACFISH standards
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION
Ö
Develop strategies to improve water quality
at the landscape scale
Ö Integrate TMDL into planning and management
WILDLAND/ URBAN INTERFACE (WUI)
FUELS REDUCTION
Ö
Concentrate fuel reduction in WUI
FOREST PRODUCTS
TIMBER BASE
Ö
Remove all roadless and WUI from the timber
base
TIMBER HARVEST
Ö
Purpose of harvest "to achieve
vegetation, habitat and social goals."
Ö Reduce ASQ
RECREATION
MANAGE USERS
Ö
Maintain "experience levels" by
restricting multiple use
Ö Manage outfitters more intensely
Ö "Permitted and limited entry use on the zone may
be a reality during this plan- ning period"
PROPOSED WILDERNESS
Ö
Fewer acres on Flathead, same on the
Bitteroot, more on Lolo
Ö No motorized, snomo, or bikes
INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREAS
Ö
No roadbuilding
Ö Encourage non-motorized recreation
Ö Review (discourage) motorized recreation
WMPZ took public comments on the proposed
action and intended to develop a set of alternatives from that
input and their own internal dialogue. To learn how that
public input played out go to >>>> Public
Input
If you are concerned about road management in the new plan, read our
analysis of Amendment 19
Here are our comments on the
Proposed Action for the WMPZ Plan Revision.
