Rattlesnake logging comment period extended after legality questioned

The Lolo National Forest has proposed an extensive project to improve forest health in the popular hiking area on Missoula’s northern fringe. While most of the project involves thinning of beetle-prone or fire-hazard undergrowth, replanting and weed treatments, a small portion would take commercial timber from near the Rattlesnake trailhead.

“We want to remind people that we have never had a ‘preferred alternative’ and no decision has been made,” Missoula District Ranger Jennifer Hensiek said Thursday. “A vital aspect of any project is always public comment. So, whatever alternative is selected – or if we decide to select actions from various alternatives – which has always been a critical piece of how we could approach this – the final decision will protect the recreation values of the RNRA.”

Alternative B of the proposal includes commercial tree harvest, log hauling, and improvements to roads and trails in the main Rattlesnake corridor, Woods Gulch and Marshall Canyon as well as small-tree cutting and prescribed fire. Alternative C includes commercial tree harvest and log hauling and improvements to roads and trails in Marshall/Woods Gulch area only with small-tree cutting and prescribed fire in the main corridor. Alternative D includes small-tree cutting and prescribed fire only to treat forest fuels with no commercial tree harvest. Alternative A is no action beyond current management activities. Any roads built in alternatives B and C would be obliterated and restored to natural conditions.

The project originally had a public comment deadline of April 6. But controversy over the legality of commercial logging in the recreation area prompted the U.S. Forest Service to make time for further review. The new deadline is April 30.

Public comments on the Marshall Woods plan should be sent to Tami Paulsen, Missoula Ranger District, 24 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804 or emailed to comments-northern-lolo-missoula@fs.fed.us.