Forest Service addresses Jasper Mountain misconceptions

PRIEST RIVER — The Priest Lake Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest held a meeting Tuesday night at the Priest River Event Center to continue its collaboration with the public on a proposal to address forest health and hazardous health concerns in the Jasper Mountain area.

An interdisciplinary team including acting District Ranger Erick Walker and Silviculturist Tom Lowell were on hand to scope the project, coordinate with the public and dispel any myths that might be prevalent.

The project, located in the Quartz-Jasper and PeeWee areas of Bonner County are located approximately 8.5 miles north of Priest River and would affect 2,033 acres.

The purpose of the project is to reduce the risk or extent of, or increase resilience to, insect and disease infestation and reduce wildfire risk.

Around 30 community members were in attendance and expressed concerns that included impact on wildlife, the designation of specific sites, logging practices, global warming, road conditions and safe travel, as well as visual and recreational impacts of the project.

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