Forest plan is released

It encompasses protecting endangered species, and keeping terrain hardy enough to sustain the licks of a wild fire.

All around, it aims at keeping an eye out for one of the steadier sources of oxygen in North Idaho.

Whether it accomplishes any of that is up to folks caring enough to read.

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on the Draft Forest Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement released this week, documents that will set standards for what is and isn’t acceptable across the 2.5 million acres of Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

“It incorporates new science, as well as the ideas and desires of the counties up here,” said Jason Kirchner, spokesman for Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

The draft plan, to replace the 1987 version, maps out how to address the needs of forest stakeholders and supply clean water while still offering access to the forest and recreational opportunities there.

The documents focus largely on restoring the composition of forests, Kirchner said, to be more resilient against fire, insects and disease.

Key to that is restoring more of the fire-resistant white bark pine that also provides forage for endangered species like the grizzly bear, he said.

The plan attempts an “all lands” approach, Kirchner added, taking into account the wishes of state and local governments and private landowners.

“It’s interesting, when you have 2.5 million acres, and we’re essentially on the doorstep of the third largest metro area in the Northwest, Spokane,” Kirchner said. “There are a lot of different people with different ideas of how the forest should be managed. Our plan seeks to find the balance between all that input and make sure it’s scientifically viable and sustainable.”

The plan took 10 years in the making, he noted, due to court battles involving the national forest management law guiding how forest plans are revised.

The documents were developed by incorporating new forest maintenance science, related laws and public input gathered at workshops and meetings.

Terry Harris, executive director with Kootenai Environmental Alliance, said his grassroots organization will be perusing the plan carefully in upcoming weeks.

“We want to see that it’s going to protect roadless areas, protect potential wilderness areas, protect old growth forests and reserve resources,” Harris said.

Already he has some concerns, he said.

He worries the plan will open caribou and grizzly habitat in the Selkirk mountains to motorized recreation, he said, an area environmentalists are hoping to protect.

“We’re still in the early stages of looking at it,” he said.

Kirchner said everyone is encouraged to read the plan and comment.

The Forest Service has scheduled public open houses this month across North Idaho. IPNF staff will be available at the events to provide information on the plan revision and submitting comments.

A hearing in Coeur d’Alene is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District Fernan Office, at 2502 E. Sherman Ave.

Written or electronic comments will be accepted for 90 days from Jan. 3, and should be submitted to: Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Forest Plan Revision, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 or IPNFplanrevision@fs.fed.us.

The documents are available for download and review at www.fs.fed.us/kipz. They’re also available for viewing at the ranger district offices. Compact discs or hard copies can be requested by calling 765-7417, or e-mailing r1_kipz_revision@fs.fed.us.

“Get a copy of the plan and please stop in, talk to us, make comments,” Kirchner said. “The more input we get, the better the plan will be.”