Council approves timber sale agreement

SANDPOINT — Following a presentation from Inland Forest Management, the City Council voted to approve a 2023 timber sale agreement with Dunkel Logging Inc.

Following announcement of the sale, one bid was received by Dunkel Logging, Inc. with an estimated minimum amount paid to the city of $384,250 through the contract term of Oct.15, 2024, as a result of the timber sale. The harvester is responsible for all costs associated with the work, including restoration, brushing, and minor road work, city officials said on an agenda report.

At Wednesday’s council meeting, Inland Forest Management officials presented objectives for forest lands and an analysis of current conditions for the council’s consideration. Ryan Pennick, project manager with IFM, said protecting water quality is paramount to the city’s efforts in watershed preservation. IFM has been working alongside the city to evaluate the current and future health of the timber within the watershed since 1989. Because the health of the watershed is affected by forest management, the two topics are closely tied.

In 2019, Inland Forest Management prepared the city of Sandpoint Watershed Forest Management Plan to help the city identify objectives for forest lands, Pennick said. The document was created on the basis that a healthy forest is a critical factor in protecting the water source, environment, and property, city officials said on an agenda report. 

During IFM’s presentation, they identified objectives for 2023, reviewed the watershed’s background, and presented timber sale ad-ons. 

Since 1918, the city has acquired over 4,000 acres of the 7,8000-acre watershed, Pennick said. During the 2019 timber sale, 1.36 million board feet were harvested, generating $350,000 for the city. Replanting occurred in the spring of 2021. 

Jennifer Stapleton, Sandpoint city administrator, said proceeds collected from timber harvest sit in a water utility reserve account and are set aside for future property purchases within the watershed.

For the 2023 timber sale, 1.16 million board feet are expected to be harvested, generating approximately $385,000 for the city. Replanting is slated for the spring of 2025. 

Timber sale add-ons will include drainage structures and ditch improvements to ensure proper runoff management to protect water quality, roadside brushing to keep roadways open and accessible, and planting and monitoring site-specific seedlings following timber harvest to promote desired species.

Mike Wolcott, consulting forester with IFM, clarified that desired species that will be replanted will include Western White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Western Larch. 

He also addressed a question from Councilor Jason Welker concerning which properties are on IFM and the city’s radar regarding future property purchases gained from timber sale proceeds. 

To date, Wolcott said that most properties have been acquired primarily from Schweitzer. The most significant area they are currently looking at is along Schweitzer Mountain Road where a great deal of water collection takes place. 

“We’ve always thought that that is the property biggest at risk that could be developed and would have the greatest impact on the quality of water and the integrity of the watershed,” Wolcott said. 

Following the presentation, the council voted unanimously to approve the timber sale agreement with Dunkel Logging.