Forest Planning: Flathead National Forest Plan

Summary: The Flathead National Forest together with the Bitterroot and Lolo Forests is considered one unit for purposes of Forest Plan revisions. The Forest Plan revision is referred to as Western Montana Planning Zone (WMPZ).

The Flathead Forest Plan is on hold until the Forest Service decides how to proceed under the court ruling against the 2005 Planning Rule. Best guess is it will be released sometime in 2008.

The Flathead National Forest Plan will not be released until the Forest Service decides how to proceed under a court ruling, which held that the 2005 Forest Plan was unlawful. Until that happens, the Flathead National Forest is operating under the 1985 Forest Plan. Individual projects will continue under the old rules and through NEPA processes. A best guess for the release of the plan is sometime in 2008.

MWA supports:

1. Wilderness Recommendation for these areas:
• Winton Weydemeyer Proposed Wilderness in the Whitefish Range
• Swan Range
• Jewel Basin and Bunker Creek
• Mount Hefty Roadless Area, and Cleft and Antley Creeks
• All non-motorized “Backcountry” in the Spotted Bear Ranger District
• All non-motorized “Backcountry” along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, including Skyland and Granite Creeks
• Additions to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area
• Additions to the Great Bear Wilderness Area

2. Protecting Traditional Trails:
• Make Swan Crest Alpine Trail #7 motor-free from Jewel Basin to Napa Point – The scoping document has been issued and the public comment period is over. A decision on the project is expected in July/August 2007.
• Make the Whitefish Divide Trail #26 motor-free from Big Mountain to Werner Peak