Forest seeks input on fuel reduction, trail project
The Flathead National Forest is seeking comments on a proposed project in the Whitefish Face area that includes forest-fire fuel reduction work and the development of 40 miles of new trails.
The Taylor Hellroaring Project is located in the Tally Lake Ranger District north of Whitefish. The project area includes the Whitefish Face area, which is located in the Whitefish Range, from Haskill Basin to Werner Peak.
The proposal includes a variety of vegetation treatments on about 1,884 acres.
The project came as the result of the U.S. Forest Service staff working with the Whitefish Face Working Group, which submitted a proposal to the forest in March 2015 that supported treatment of vegetation and provided a range of trail experiences including connectivity with existing trails.
The group identified the need to treat vegetation in the area to increase forest resilience to insect infestation and disease and to reduce the risk and severity of wildfires. The group also noted a need to maintain and improve wildlife habitat, while also increasing rust resistant western white pine and whitebark pine. The proposal includes a variety of vegetation treatments including regeneration harvest, partial harvest, understory fuel treatment and prescribed burning on approximately 1,884 acres.
To facilitate the vegetation treatments, about 5 miles of roads could be developed then closed and placed in stored status for future use. Portions of these roads would be trail routes, and about .73 miles of temporary roads would be built and reclaimed following use.
The project is also designed to provide a range of trail experiences for hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Thus, part of the project includes 40 miles of new trails and one new traihead.
According to a forest service scoping document, the Holbrook Overlook parking area would be upgraded to a designated trailhead including a vault toilet and an information kiosk. The trail is proposed to have a series of short loops in the Holbrook area adjacent to the trailhead.
Extended portions of the trail system along with forest service roads will provide access for trail users to the Ralph Thayer Memorial Recreation Trail, Smokey Range National Recreation Trail and Danny On Memorial Recreation Trail.
The Tally Lake Ranger District is hosting an open house on Thursday, April 6, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Whitefish Community Center in Whitefish to share information on the project and invite public comment.
The Tally Lake Ranger District is accepting comments about this proposal until April 28.
Written, hand-delivered and oral comments can be delivered to Project Team Leader, Deb Bond at 406-758-5204, or at 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901, “attention Deb Bond”, or email comments to: comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us and include “Taylor Hellroaring” in the subject line. Additional information about this project can be found at the project website https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50518