Forest project near Olney up for review

The Flathead National Forest is proposing a variety of actions on about 15,000 acres of land near Olney, including some thinning, new roads and campsite improvements.

The purpose of the Radnor Resource Management Project is to improve forest health, water quality, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and reduce the risk of wildfire, the Forest Service notes in its project analysis.

The LeBeau Research Natural Area is within the project area and accounts for about 4,750 acres.

According to the proposed action plan, wildland fires have been largely absent from the area for at least 120 years, which has resulted in fuel loading in some areas.

A variety of forest thinning treatments are suggested, including commercial and pre-commercial thinning, liberation cuts, shelterwood cuts, and 2 acres of clearcuts. About 620 acres total will be treated.

The proposed action avoids old growth areas and avoids impacts to riparian areas. A retention plan keeps the largest trees, typically western larch and Douglas fir.

The Forest Service plans 0.6 miles of temporary roads and 0.4 miles of new permanent roads. The new road would remain available for future use, but would not be open to the public.

About 1.1 miles of road decommissioning is planned, along with closing 0.7 miles of road to provide for wildlife security. A culvert that has been blocked by beavers at the junction of LeBeau Creek and NFR910A would be removed.

A campsite at Finger Lake would receive tent site improvements and fire rings.

Shrub planting on up to 300 acres aims to improve forage for deer and elk while providing nesting sites for songbirds.

The Tally Lake Ranger District is hosting a public meeting on the Radnor Resource Management Project on Thursday, April 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tally Lake Ranger Station, 650 Wolfpack Way in Kalispell.

The meeting will include a presentation on Section 603 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, a review and update of the project area and the purpose and need for the project. A discussion on the previous proposed action and the comments received, plus the process for developing a new proposed action, will also be covered at the meeting.

For more information on the project or the meeting, contact Project Leader Tami MacKenzie, at 406/758-5204.