Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 37
The seasonal roads designated to open May 1 on the Seeley Lake Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest are now open. “With the unusual winter, roads have dried out earlier than normal and staff are out swinging gates open today,” said Quinn Carver, District Ranger, Seeley Lake Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest. “Staff will be starting at the lower elevations to open gates this afternoon. There may be a few at higher elevations that aren’t opened until the weekend.” The roads that are opening are typically closed seasonall...
The Seeley Lake Ranger District is seeking public feedback on the proposed Monture Hazard Tree removal project located at the Monture Creek Campground and Trailhead. The campground and trailhead are a major access point to various trail systems in the Scapegoat Wilderness and is used by the general public, hunters, anglers and outfitter/guide operations. The project proposes to remove dead and diseased trees in and around the project area that are currently being impacted by Douglas-fir Bark Beetle. The beetle is present in large trees that...
The Lolo National Forest and Plan Revision Team will start the new year by launching a series of public engagement opportunities to share information on the Revision process and to invite input on key topics. “We are looking forward to the next several months which include carefully planned informational webinars, workshops, and engagement opportunities,” stated Carolyn Upton, Lolo National Forest Supervisor. “The feedback we hear through these sessions will be crucial to informing the Draft Assessment, the first step toward a revised Plan...
MISSOULA — The Lolo National Forest and Plan Revision Team will start the new year by launching a series of public engagement opportunities to share information on the Revision process and to invite input on key topics. “We are looking forward to the next several months which include carefully planned informational webinars, workshops, and engagement opportunities,” stated Carolyn Upton, Lolo National Forest Supervisor. “The feedback we hear through these sessions will be crucial to informing the Draft Assessment, the first step toward a revis...
MISSOULA - The Missoula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is now accepting project proposals for 2022. The project submission deadline is close of business on May 6, 2022. The RAC is anticipating approximately $40,000 in project funding to award. Funding and administration for the Missoula RAC is provided under the authority of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self–Determination Act. Last year, the Missoula RAC funded seven projects under this authority that included noxious weed treatments, stream restoration, road decommissioning, t...
SEELEY LAKE - The following over-snow vehicle use routes / snowmobile trails will be temporarily closed during the week, Monday – Friday, for winter logging activities and for public safety while the Westside Bypass Wildfire Resiliency project is implemented. The trails will be open for weekends (Saturday – Sunday). The project will help address existing fuel and vegetation conditions that contribute to an increased risk of severe wildfire in areas adjacent to state and private lands. Tra...
The holiday season is quickly approaching and Christmas tree permits are now available online or for pick-up at Lolo National Forest office locations. “Finding and cutting a Lolo National Forest Christmas tree is a long-standing tradition and a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends on National Forest lands,” said Kate Jerman, Lolo National Forest spokesperson. “This year we are offering permits online through Recreation.gov or by outdoor pick-up at office locations for public convenience.” All Lolo National Forest offices will of...
MISSOULA - The cause of the Plant Creek Fire, which was reported on Monday, October 18, is under investigation. Forest Service Law Enforcement is asking for the public's help in identifying the driver of the pictured black and red Polaris side-by-side. The black and red side-by-side was driven in the Miller Creek area on the afternoon of Sunday, October 17, and the driver may have information regarding the cause of the Plant Creek Fire. The side-by-side was driven by a white, bald, middle-aged...
SEELEY LAKE - On Aug. 2, an intense rain shower event occurred in the Monture area, on the Seeley Lake Ranger District just north of Ovando, Montana. The combination of intense rain, very steep slopes, geology and 2017 post-burn conditions resulted in debris flows within the tributaries of Spread, Falls, Bill and Yellowjacket Creeks. Debris flows impacted the Monture Campground, Monture Outfitter and Guide camp and Monture Creek Trail (#27) at Spread and Bill Creeks. No people were injured in...
SEELEY LAKE - On Aug. 2, an intense rain shower event occurred in the Monture area, on the Seeley Lake Ranger District just north of Ovando, Montana. The combination of intense rain, very steep slopes, geology and 2017 post-burn conditions resulted in debris flows within the tributaries of Spread, Falls, Bill and Yellowjacket Creeks. debris flows impacted the Monture Campground, Monture Outfitter and Guide camp and Monture Creek Trail (#27) at Spread and Bill Creeks. No people were injured in...
SEELEY LAKE - The Forest Service has issued a decision to authorize Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) to establish a secure conservation population of native westslope cutthroat trout in the North Fork of the Blackfoot River in the Scapegoat Wilderness. The project will work to remedy non-native stocking actions taken prior to Wilderness designation. The project area spans the Seeley Lake Ranger District in the Lolo National Forest and the Lincoln Ranger District in the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest and will begin as soon as t...
Lakeside Campground will be temporarily closed for the next two to four weeks due to a small landside in a recent construction area. Spring precipitation and runoff has made the area unstable. The group reservation site #3 will remain open/accessible to reservation holders only (through www.recreation.gov) and the campground host will facilitate access for those reservation holders. All other sites within Lakeside Campground will remain temporarily closed. Crews will work over the next few...
SEELEY LAKE - Late in the evening on May 25, a small debris slide was discovered covering a portion of the Cottonwood Lakes Road #477 adjacent to the Rice Ridge fire burned area. The slide is located ¼ mile west of the junction of Cottonwood Lakes Road #477 and Lower Cottonwood Road #9976. The slide is the result of heavy rain and soil saturation in the area which caused the slope above the road to slump and slide over Cottonwood Lakes Road #477. As a result of the slide, a 4-mile...
Lakeside Campground on Lake Alva will be temporarily closed for the next 2-4 weeks due to a small landside in a recent construction area. Spring precipitation and runoff has made the area unstable. The group reservation site #3 will remain open/accessible to reservation holders only (through www.recreation.gov) and the campground host will facilitate access for those reservation holders. All other sites within Lakeside Campground will remain temporarily closed. Crews will work over the next few...
Beginning this summer season on the Lolo National Forest, Quartz Flat (Loop A), River Point (Seeley Lake) and Lakeside (Lake Alva) Campgrounds will be available for online reservation. Big Hole Lookout and Savenac East Cottage, both new additions to the popular rental program, are now also available for online reservation. Online reservations can be made through recreation.gov. “Much of the public expects to use an online reservation system to plan their vacation,” stated Kate Jerman, Lolo National Forest Public Affairs Officer. “Tr...
SEELEY LAKE - Firefighters on the Seeley Lake Ranger District are planning to conduct prescribed burning over the coming weeks to reduce hazardous fuels, reduce woody debris from past logging operations, restore wildlife habitat and better protect neighborhoods and the community from future wildfire. Pending favorable conditions, underburning operations could begin as soon as Wednesday, April 21 and continue in the coming weeks. Underburning, a type of prescribed fire treatment, ignites surface fuels under the forest canopy. Firefighters have...
SEELEY LAKE - The Lolo National Forest issued a decision on the Westside Bypass Wildfire Resiliency Project on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. The project area is located on National Forest lands about two miles northwest of Seeley Lake. The project will help address existing fuel and vegetation conditions that contribute to an increased risk of severe wildfire in areas adjacent to state and private lands. “Implementation of portions of this project could begin as soon as this spring season,” said Quinn Carver, Seeley Lake District Ran...
The Lolo National Forest is moving forward with implementing fee changes for developed recreation sites as recommended by the Sanders, Mineral, Missoula and Tri County Resource Advisory Committees, and as approved by the Regional Forester. Revenue generated at these sites is retained by the Lolo National Forest and provides critical support for maintaining high-quality recreation experiences and funding maintenance and improvements. The changes to campground fees will take effect for the 2021 summer season and changes to rentals and lookout...
SEELEY LAKE - In response to public feedback, the Lolo National Forest is extending the public comment period for the North Fork Blackfoot River Native Fish Restoration Project for an additional 30 days or through March 12. Located in the Scapegoat Wilderness on the Seeley Lake and Lincoln Ranger Districts in Powell and Lewis and Clark counties, the project would authorize Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to implement fish management and stocking actions within the wilderness to establish a secure population of native trout. “Thank you t...
SCAPEGOAT WILDERNESS – The Lolo National Forest is seeking comments on the North Fork Blackfoot River Native Fish Restoration Project which is located in the Scapegoat Wilderness on the Seeley Lake Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest, and the Lincoln Ranger District on the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest, in Powell and Lewis and Clark counties. The project would authorize Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to implement fish management and stocking actions within the wilderness that would establish a secure population of nat...
SEELEY LAKE –While National Forest Service roads generally close to wheeled vehicles Dec. 1, due to the lack of snow this year on the Seeley Lake Ranger District, the roads remain open until grooming begins. There will also be temporary road and snowmobile trail closures in place throughout the winter to provide for public safety during logging and fuel treatment activities. Dec. 1 marks the annual date that Forest Service roads typically transition to over-snow-trails restricting access to motorized, wheeled vehicles. However, District R...
MISSOULA – The Missoula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is scheduled to meet on Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. virtually. The objectives of the meeting are to: • Approve meeting minutes as needed; • Discuss, recommend and approve new Title II projects and hear project proposal presentations as requested by the RAC; • Discuss and make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites located within Missoula County on the Lolo National Forest. At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee will recommend projects for funding under Title II of the Secur...
MISSOULA – The Lolo National Forest protection area received over 300 lightning strikes from storms on the night of July 30. Firefighters responded to and rapidly contained four small fires across the Forest since the storm. Although firefighters were able to effectively contain and control these fires, fire officials would like to remind the public to remain vigilant and cautious with the persistent hot and dry weather. The Lolo National Forest remains in HIGH fire danger. As of July 30, there have been 44 small wildfires on the Forest; 38 h...
Less than three years have passed since the fires of 2017 and the Lolo National Forest is still making significant steps toward recovery in areas impacted by severe wildfire. Working in close partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), a national nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, crews have completed planting of over 240,000 Ponderosa Pine and Western Larch seedlings across the Missoula, Seeley Lake, Superior and Plains-Thompson Falls Ranger Districts located in Missoula, Mineral and Sanders counties. Planting occured...
Electric bicycles (e-bikes) have grown in popularity for both recreational use and hunting on public lands and are currently welcome on more than 52,000 miles of roads and 7,700 miles of trails throughout the Northern Region’s nine National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands where motorized vehicle travel is authorized. The USDA Forest Service considers e-bikes as motorized vehicles and therefore does not allow their use on non-motorized National Forest System (NFS) roads and trails. According to the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule (...
