WHITEFISH WORKING
GROUP FOR FOREST PLAN REVISION
ATTENDEES
( This is a list of all attendees at all meetings; most attendees
did not attend all meetings.)
Harm Toren, Raymond Shupert, Gene
Lamb, Bob Lawson, Jerry O’Neil, Garmen Meadows, Miles Erickson,
Thad Briggs, Ed Mikulecky, Reuben Schoeder, Ben Thompson, Anna
Haney, Richard Haney, Kerrie Byrne, Floyd Quiram, Chuck Roady, Dave
Skinner, Clarence Taber, Rita Hall, Gary Hall. Bill Beck, Malcolm
Thompson, , Peter Crites, Rick Anderson, Patrick Sullivan, Mike
Benson, Leo Gallis, Joe Shupert, Steve McComb, Miles Erickson, Tony
Gangemi, Jeff Bailey, Rich Walter, Jay Crowley, Matt Magstadt, Dick
Nelson, Carol Nelson, Marvin Stevenson, Ward McCartney, Jeff
Clausen, Jeff Littfin, Eric Hosek, Gary Cockrell, Kathleen Hansen,
Christina Eisenberg, Gary Sloan, Mary Sloan, David Keith, Fred Heim,
Megan Morris, Dave Hadden
Also, USFS representatives, Denise
Germann, Ken Meckel, Marsha Moore, Lisa Krueger, Rob Carlin
ISSUE STATEMENTS FOR
DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS AND ACTIONS
1)
It was re-iterated and agreed upon that a super majority of 70% is
necessary for group approval of any motions. Minority opinions may
be presented and will be recorded in notes.
This was a unanimous vote. April 28,
and reiterated on May 3
ACCESS
2) The forest plan should have
separate sets of alternatives for each forest.
The group voted 17 in favor, 1 no, 1
abstain. No minority opinion expressed. May 3
3) Current forest plan amendments
are to NOT be carried forward. The entire forest plan is subject to
change.
The vote was fully unanimous. May 3
4) Roads should not be
obliterated.
The vote was fully unanimous. May 3
5) All roads will be maintained
at BMP standards.
It was unanimous. May 3
6**) No
net loss of miles of open roads.
Reverse the trend to be one of
opening roads.
Use seasonal and rotational
closures.
The vote was super majority, 21 for,
one member opposed, one member with some reservations or
questions.
7) Since
OHV use is a legitimate recreational use for forest land and the
demand for access to the forest for OHV use is increasing, FNF
should plan for this increased use to minimize environmental damage
and overcrowding while maximizing the recreational experience of all
users.
Vote of 24 eligible voters = 17 yes,
5 no ( 2 undecided out of 24 total. This meets the 70% majority rule
and the vote passes.
8) Subcommittee
to come up with suggested areas for cross-country use and trails for
OHV.
Vote was unanimous, all 24 members
in favor. The subcommittee will consist of Clarence, Thad, Patrick,
Matt. May 17
9) Roads and trails covered by a
special use permit or that may qualify as RS 2477 will not be closed
although they may be modified to mitigate for environmental damage
as long as reasonable access is still allowed.
Super Majority voted for, with 3
opposed. May 24
10) Carry
over all access from the current forest plan in 2B areas for
motorized access in the new forest plan, and identify them.
17 for, 3 opposed, and 2 with
questions or reservation. May 24
11) We wish to see snowmobiling
continue on Flathead National Forest. In order to assure future
access for snowmobilers there should be no net loss of designated
trail or play areas for snowmobiling. If trails or areas must be
closed for any reason, they will be re-opened by cutting or be
replaced by other areas or trails of equal size and value in the
same general area for the
snowmobiling recreational experience. This only applies to
designated trails or areas.
The vote was 18 for, 3 opposed, and
1 with reservations or questions.
12) Changes for the purpose of
consistency across forests will not reduce the amount or quality of
snowmobile access on each forest.
Vote was 16 for the motion, and 4
opposed.
13**) Carry 2C areas forward into
the new forest plan.
The vote was 17 for, and 2
opposed. May 24
14) Provide loop opportunities
for snow cats, auto, trail bikes, and 4-wheelers. Provide ridge
access. Provide mountain access.
The vote was 17 for, 3 opposed. May
24
15**) Carry
standards forward from Tally Lake and Island Unit.
The vote was 13 in favor, with 3
opposed. May 24
FOREST PRODUCTS
16) We
propose to encourage salvage logging immediately following fire,
insect and disease outbreaks, or other forest disturbance, such as
blowdowns, when compatible with management area goals, to retain
economic value of timber.
The vote was unanimous. June 7
17) We
are opposed to implementing the Roadless Area Conservation Rule to
this forest plan until all legal actions are resolved and Forest
Service Rulemaking is complete (FP-F1-A2). Until then, the current
legislation of RARE II should govern activities in inventoried
roadless areas.
The group approved the motion, 12 in
favor, 2 with reservations or questions, and 1 not voting.
June 7
18) We propose to review National
Forest System lands and reclassify their suitability for timber
production based on our current knowledge and understanding of
integrated resource management, human needs, and public desire.
(DELETE last sentence in
FP-F1-A1>> "The number of acres classified as suitable
for timber production as an emphasis would probably be less than
identified in current forest plans." )
The vote was unanimous. June 7
19) There
is no need to exclude the interface from the timber base (FP-F1-A3).
Simply include working that exempts the area from stocking levels
etc.
The vote was unanimous to accept the
motion. June 7
20) The
Allowable Sale Quantity (ASQ) should be realistic (FP-F4-A1). In
addition to ASQ, we believe a realistic minimum sale quantity, (MSQ)
should be established as a Standard. The FNF should commit to making
its best effort to achieving that Standard. The use of MSQ by FS
would enhance local economies by allowing timber companies a better
idea of what to expect for timber supply. The line officers of the
USFS would be held accountable to achieve this MSQ.
The vote was 12 for, 2 opposed, one
abstaining. June 7
21) The
annual sustained yield of timber volume of the forest should be a
true estimation of what the forest is actually capable of growing in
all management areas. The estimated number should be readily
available to the public and printed in the forest plan to be refined
each year as more data becomes available.
The vote was 10 in favor, and one
opposed. June 14
22) More
un-even age (all age/multi crown level) management and harvest
techniques should be incorporated by the USFS in trying to achieve
an overall landscape management approach to the forest. We recognize
there will be obvious exceptions to this, such as pure stands of
Lodgepole Pine.
The vote was unanimous, all in favor
of the motion. June 14
23) The
USFS should aggressively use all appropriate tools given to them in
the December 2003 HFRA Bill to reduce fuels and the risk of
wildfires, with the priority being, but not limited to, the Wildland/Urban
Interface.
The vote was unanimous in favor.
June 14
24) The
Forest Service should fight fires aggressively using all the tools
and crews available.
The passing vote was 8 in favor, 3
opposed. June 14
25) The
Forest Service should retain all roads in a condition suitable for
emergency use by firefighters.
The vote was 8 in favor, 2 opposed,
and one with reservations or questions. June 14
** Note:
In a few instances, the statements are unclear. Therefore, in the
section below, I have added non-bolded, non-italicized words in
parenthesis to clarify the meaning of the statement even though
these words were not included in the notes as part of the voted on
statements. A reading of the notes will reveal more of the meaning
of the statements in question. Gary Hall
6) No
net loss of miles of open roads.
Reverse the trend,(from
closing roads) to be one
of opening roads.
Use seasonal and rotational
closures. (Rotational
closures means to rotate the roads that are closed every few years
– opening some that were closed and closing some that were open)
13) Carry 2C areas (access)
forward into the new forest plan.
15) Carry standards (access)
forward from (in)
Tally Lake and Island Unit.
Compare # 10 with #13 and #15. All
three were introduced by Clarence Taber and it was clear at the
meeting that he was referring to access standards.
