Happy Holidays from the Seeley Lake Ranger District! Thanks to the Pathfinder for allowing me this opportunity to provide an update on what’s happening on the Seeley Lake RD. As fall and winter arrive, I’m reflective of the historic summer of 2017 which is not one that anyone will forget anytime soon. It was challenging and difficult – for our family of firefighters, visiting recreationists, business owners and Seeley Lake residents.
Now the fires are out and we are moving forward with post-fire activities. Regional Forester Leanne Marten reported that the Northern Region experienced one of the hottest and driest seasons on record resulting in 36 fires and approximately 710,000 acres burned. She acknowledged the amount of work left to do on the ground for the resources and the communities when the flames go out and the smoke clears. This includes the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment (see Pathfinder article Nov. 9) which analyzed potential risks and recommended emergency measures to reduce threats to protect life and property and critical natural and cultural resources.
The BAER ‘team’ of hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, botanists, biologists and trail specialists evaluated the burn areas using burn severity maps and identifying treatments for stabilization work. These treatments included culvert upsizing, drainage reestablishment, trail tread repair, weed treatment, hazard tree removal and warning signs. Implementation began this fall and will continue into next summer so we are prepared for potential impacts from things like spring runoff and heavy precipitation events.
In addition, the “log decks” created through the construction of fireline have been sold and hauling has begun. Snowplowing, further processing and hauling of logs will take place throughout the winter which will require the closure of specific snowmobile trails for specified periods of time. A schedule was developed to allow flexibility to the purchaser to access log decks while also limiting impacts to designated snowmobile trails and winter recreation. Our office will do our best to keep the public informed of any restrictions.
Reconnaissance for potential salvage efforts has begun and salvage harvest is proposed to be implemented within the year. Our Regional Office is providing support to all the Forests who have salvage opportunities. The purpose and need of the project is to salvage burned timber to reduce hazards through hazard tree removal, forest re-establishment (tree planting as appropriate), and to recover economic value of forest products to contribute to employment and local community income. Pre-field reconnaissance focused on the area within the fire perimeter for both the Rice Ridge and Liberty Fires using a GIS exercise based on Forest Plan Allocation and amendments (management areas of suitable timber); special resource exclusion areas (riparian, roadless areas); logging system and access (road location, tractor versus skyline); and other screening like estimated volume, burn intensity, species deterioration and consideration of other valued resources.
Our formal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process will be initiated with public scoping in December with a projected decision in August. Fire is a process that shaped this landscape, influencing vegetation patterns, wildlife habitat diversity, aesthetics, etc. Along with these actions, natural revegetation will occur. We all have an important role in working together in this fire-adapted landscape. You can find more information on post-fire restoration and response on the Region One website: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=d3b3a962ed784e7096fbebfb75031a75.
While post-fire activities and the fire’s effects will impact our normal district and forest program of work, we are also in step with recently outlined goals, objectives and priorities provided by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke. Perdue has shared his strategic goals for USDA, under which the Forest Service is an agency.
One of the goals is specific to National Forest lands: Foster productive and sustainable use of our National Forest System lands. The objectives tied to this goal include contributing to the economic health of rural communities through use and access opportunities, focusing on stewardship and partnership; ensuring lands and watersheds are sustainable, healthy and productive; and mitigating wildfire risk. In turn, and building on progress and past efforts, Tooke developed national priorities to share his vision and guide essential work. They are as follows:
• Uplifting and empowering our employees through a respectful, safe working environment.
• Being good neighbors and providing excellent customer service.
• Promoting shared stewardship by increasing partnerships and volunteerism.
• Improving the condition of forests and grasslands.
• Enhancing recreation opportunities, improving access and sustaining infrastructure.
These goals, objectives and priorities are consistent with and validate ongoing work on the Seeley Lake Ranger District as we continue to work with partners, collaborative groups and volunteers toward long-term vegetation and recreation management. They give urgency and focus to the highest priority work and set expectations for the manner in which we accomplish our work with citizens, partners and volunteers. My hope is that we will move forward from this challenging fire season and use our collective energy, knowledge and experience to have productive conversations about the future of National Forest lands surrounding Seeley Lake.
We are actively working with the Driftriders Snowmobile Club and the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club to prepare for the upcoming winter recreation season. We are also in the process of permitting recreation events occurring on National Forest land.
For more information, please call the Seeley Lake Ranger Station at 677-2233, check the Seeley Lake District webpage, Lolo Forest Facebook or simply drop in at the Ranger Station!
To our health,
Rachel Feigley
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