Listening Sessions for Colville National Forest plan update

WILD NW Action Alert #260: Attend a Listening Session to weigh-in on Forest Plan revisions

The Colville National Forest is currently accepting public input through July 5 on a multi-year planning effort to update and revise its Land and Resource Management Plan. Feedback submitted during this process will guide management of the Forest for the next decade and beyond.

Please attend a Listening Session in early June to make sure your voice is heard on this important Management Plan!

• June 2 at the Kalispel Tribe Camas Wellness Center, 1821 N. Le Clerc Road, Cusick, WA
• June 6 at the Spokane Community College, Sasquatch Conf. Rm, 1810 N Greene St., Spokane, WA
• June 7 at the Republic Elementary School, 30306 East Hwy 20 in Republic, WA
• An online open house is also available through July 5 at: http://colvilleplanrevision.publicmeeting.info/ 

All Listening Sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Forest Service staff will be in attendance and informational posters will be on display.

More information about the Colville National Forest management plan revision and the Listening Sessions in June can be found online. Public comments on the Management Plan may be submitted electronically or emailed to colvilleplanrevision@fs.fed.us.

Conservation organizations, recreation groups, and other Forest stakeholders will be distributing suggested comments on the Plan later in June. This comment period is particularly important because the Forest can designate wild Roadless Areas as recommended wilderness during the Forest Plan update.

Despite important recreation values and the vital habitat it provides for wildlife such as lynx and woodland caribou, only a tiny fraction of the Colville National Forest has been permanently protected as wilderness. With threats from widespread motorized recreation, potential mining, and other concerns, the Forest badly needs more protected wild areas and an updated plan that offers the right balance of conservation, recreation, forestry and other uses.

The Forest has drafted several alternatives to be considered as Forest Management Plan updates. We most like Alternative P for its better standards with respect to managing forests and livestock, reducing damaging roads, and increasing use of fire as a restoration tool. But Alternative P falls far short in protecting large old trees and especially in its scant wilderness recommendations for the wild Kettle Crest. It must be improved to recommend wilderness protections for at least the Profanity, Hoodoo, Thirteenmile and Quartzite roadless areas.

If you live, work or recreate in northeast Washington, please attend a Listening Session to ensure that your voice is heard on this important Forest Management Plan update! And stay tuned for more suggested comments and information on the Management Plan coming soon.