DNRC takes comments on proposed timber harvest

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is proposing to harvest timber on several parcels in the Stillwater State Forest.

The proposed MollyWood Timber Sale is about 6 miles north of Olney in the main block of the Stillwater State Forest. The proposal would harvest between 500,000 and 1 million board feet of timber, according to the initial proposal released by the DNRC.

The work would take place on about 250 acres within a 1,550 acre project area. Harvest prescriptions would vary, but are not limited to commercial thinning, group selection, old growth maintenance and regeneration harvest such as seed-tree, clear-cut with reserves and shelterwood treatments.

The proposed harvest would contribute to DNRC’s annual timber harvest as mandated by state law to produce revenue.

In addition, the objective of the project is to create fuel breaks within the Wildland Urban Interface, move stands toward desired future conditions, identify and repair potential sediment sources that may be impacting streams, and remove trees that could cause outages along Lincoln Electric Cooperative power lines.

Up to 1 miles of temporary road construction, along with road maintenance and improvements, may be necessary as part of the project, according to the DNRC. No permanent roads would be constructed.

Noxious weed management, pre-commercial thinning and tree planting could also occur as part of the project.

DNRC is in the scoping phase of the project environmental assessment so all volumes, acreages and road distances are preliminary estimates.

DNRC specialists such as wildlife biologists, hydrologists, soil scientists, and archeologists will be consulted as part of the review.

The Montana DNRC invites written comments and suggestions concerning this proposal by Dec. 13 to: Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Attn: Aaron Shay, Management Forester Stillwater Unit, P.O. Box 164, Olney, MT, 59927 or email aaron.shay@mt.gov orcall(406) 881-2668.