Forest project near Lakeside to begin next spring

The Flathead Forest has approved a 1,200-acre project west of Lakeside aimed at stopping the spread of insects and diseases affecting forest health.

The Dayton Project area is on the Swan Lake Ranger District north of Lake Mary Ronan and south of Blacktail Mountain. Work is expected to begin as soon as next spring.

According to the Forest Service, root disease, fir engraver, Douglas-fir beetle and various dwarf mistletoe infestations are evident in this area, setting up the potential for dangerous wildfire conditions in a zone that leads up to the Lakeside community and other recreational assets.

Lakeside was listed as a community at risk in a 2001 federal report on wildfires, the project decision notes.

Existing forest fire conditions across the project area could produce up to 12-foot flame lengths, with much of the area predicted to exhibit some type of crown fire. Fire behavior is expected to decrease significantly after removing infected trees in the project zone, the notice states.

THE APPROVED activities include approximately 1,100 acres of commercial vegetation treatments and 100 acres of noncommercial treatment. 

Regeneration treatments on 992 acres includes a combination of mostly seed-tree and shelterwood treatments, and a small section of clearcut. These efforts are to be focused on eventual reforestation with more resilient trees such as ponderosa pine, western white pine and western larch.

Both ground-based mechanized harvest and cable yarding is planned for harvesting.

Truman Saddle to road #2990 and portions of the Blacktail Nordic trails system, also known as the Alpine Loop, may be impacted during harvest activities and temporarily closed for public safety. Any trail damage that occurs would be repaired following harvest activities. Harvesting would occur only during the spring and summer in the Blacktail Nordic area.

About 2 miles of temporary roads will be constructed, which are to be decommissioned no later than three years after the project is completed. Public motorized access will not change.

The Forest Service collaborated with neighboring landowners and other interested parties beginning in May 2021.

More than 20 comments were submitted, mostly focused on maintaining access and minimizing impacts to the Blacktail Nordic trail system. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes representatives expressed no concerns with the project.

To view the final decision, visit the project webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=59952. For questions, contact project leader Kyle Stetler at kyle.stetler@usda.gov.