Timber sale near Polebridge moves forward

A proposed state timber sale south of Polebridge is moving forward.

The Moran Cyclone Timber Sale is along the North Fork Road near Winona Ridge. Plans call for harvesting up to 6 million board feet of lumber from 2,901 acres on the Coal Creek State Forest.

 This project would produce an estimated $1.3 million in revenue for the School of Mines, State Normal School, public buildings and Montana State University trusts.

Stillwater State Forest unit manager Brian Manning says the sale will go out for bids this spring.

About one-third of the project area burned in the 2001 Moose Fire. Logging took place in the 1930s and again in the early 80s and 90s. The area is a mix of western larch, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir.

An environment analysis published in March suggests an action alternative that includes commercial and pre-commercial thinning, regeneration and overstory removal. The variations treatments are expected to create a mosaic of new timber stands that emulate the effects of a wildfire.

The alternative includes construction of 1.75 miles of temporary road which would be reclaimed after the sale.

Log-hauling traffic may increase by up to 12 truckloads per day on Hay Creek Road and the North Fork Road. The application of dust abatement, such as magnesium chloride, may be required.

Impacts to the viewshed due to thinning will vary. Viewing the project area from points in Glacier National Park showed the possibility of seeing a small portion from the road north of Polebridge.

Moderate impacts to grizzly bears and Canada lynx habitat are expected.

A public comment period garnered only a few letters and emails. One person requested that the project maintain a stand of large larch trees on state land adjacent to their property. Other comments suggested using slash for biomass. Another comment from a nearby landowner supported the project.