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Forest Service outlines timelines for Buckskin Saddle, Sandpoint South, Sam Owens campground and fuels work
Summary
District Ranger Chris Noyes told Bonner County commissioners Buckskin Saddle is under litigation and the Forest Service is "waiting on a new biological opinion from the Fish and Wildlife Service," expected in early May; other projects include Sandpoint South scoping, an over-snow travel plan pending a biological assessment, and Sam Owens Campground at 90% design.
District Ranger Chris Noyes and forest fuels staff updated the Bonner County Board of Commissioners on ongoing Forest Service projects around Priest Lake and Sandpoint on (date not specified).
Noyes said the Buckskin Saddle project on the lake’s south side "is still currently under a litigation hold" and that the district is "waiting on a new biological opinion from the Fish and Wildlife Service," which the Forest Service is "expecting ... in early May". If that opinion is received as expected, Noyes said the agency hopes "to start implementing our treatments in the fall." The Buckskin Saddle treatments are designed to increase forest resiliency to insects, disease, drought and undesirable wildfire effects.
The district also briefed commissioners on Sandpoint South — a hazardous-fuels-reduction project on the west side of the lake — which is in the scoping stage. Staff said scoping "ends on April 22" and that an "estimated timeline for starting to accept public comments will open for 30 days on June 4." Noyes said the project intends to reduce fuels around communities and residences in that zone.
Officials described the over-snow vehicle travel plan as another item delayed by consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; staff said they expect the agency’s biological assessment by the end of the month before proceeding.
On recreation infrastructure, the Forest Service said Sam Owens Campground on the north side of the lake is at "90% design." Staff said they are waiting on heritage consultation and to "firm up some funding sources" before implementation. The agency estimated construction could take place next summer and that the campground would be closed while work is underway.
Fuel management and hazardous-fuels projects were discussed in tandem with the project updates. Kelly Rose Zarflu, the district fuels specialist, described the fuels toolbox — prescribed fire, thinning (mechanical or by harvest), piling and burning, and mastication — and said the district has several active and planned projects, including sales and treatments in Scattered Lands (Hoodoo and Long Mountain), upcoming Black Pine (and possibly Short Arm Cedar) units, Jasper Mountain prescribed burning, and Highway 57 work implemented under a fuel categorical exclusion to protect roads and power-line infrastructure.
Zarflu said the Treasure Landscapes units focus on natural fuels burning and that some units are accessible only later in the season when snow melts. She pointed attendees to an online map for operational updates: the North Idaho RX fire overview page (search: "North Idaho RX fire overview") where the public can view project-area maps and active/upcoming burns.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about closures, permit processes and timelines. No formal actions or votes on these projects were recorded in the meeting transcript.
Ending: Staff asked the public to submit topics of interest for future quarterly updates; the Forest Service indicated it presents to the county approximately quarterly and will provide more detail on request.
