Comment sought on Idaho Buckhorn project |
| March 26, 2013 |
|
Public input is being sought as the Idaho
Panhandle National Forest proposes a planned
fire project in the Deer Creek Watershed area on
National Forest System lands within the Bonner
Ferry Ranger District. The purpose of this project is to improve wildlife habitat for big game species and grizzly bears, provide restoration opportunities for whitebark pine and reduce natural fuel accumulations. Public scoping is one of the first steps for developing an environmental analysis for this project. The Idaho Buckhorn project has been collaboratively developed with the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI). “We are pleased with the restoration opportunities associated with this project and the collaborative work that went into planning the proposed project” said Bonners Ferry District Ranger Linda McFaddan. Boundary County Commissioner and KVRI Co-Chair Dan Dinning commented “Through collaborative efforts of the community, I’m looking forward to the results on the landscape proposed in the Idaho Buckhorn project. Prescribed fire is a tool that will restore and improve wildlife habitat for this community, in conjunction with the other restoration efforts going on in the Lower Kootenai Watershed.” McFaddan acknowledges the importance of the collaborative work leading to the project proposal and encourages members of the public to comment on this proposal. Proceeding with the proposed action relies heavily on public input to help identify concerns and potential issues so that they can be addressed early in project planning. Copies of the scoping letter, which includes the Purpose and Need of the proposal and proposed actions, can be obtained by visiting the Idaho Panhandle National Forests website or by contacting Jennifer Anderson, Project Leader, at jlanderson02@fs.fed.us or (208) 267-5561. All public comments during the scoping period must be received no later than April 19, 2013. |