Murphy Timber Sales and Associated Activities; Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, MT

الملخص

The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of timber harvest, reforestation, wildlife habitat enhancement (prescribed burning), construction of low standard haul roads, and restriction of existing roads within the lower portion of the Fortine Creek drainage. The Fortine Creek drainage is located approximately 40 air miles northeast of Libby, Montana near the town of Fortine, Montana. The proposal's actions to harvest and reforest timber stands, construct and reconstruct roads, prescribed burning, and restricting roads are being considered together because they represent either connected or cumulative actions as defined by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.25). The purposes of the project are to maintain and enhance winter thermal habitat requirements for whitetailed and mule deer, improve grizzly bear habitat by providing security, cover, and forage, and maintain a healthy forest while providing timber to the local economy. The EIS will tier to the Kootenai National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and Final EIS of September 1987, which provides overall guidance for achieving the desir