A Forest Service district representative updated commissioners on several ongoing projects and funding streams, including disaster funding for storm-damage cleanup, an agreement with Montana DNRC to fund NEPA for the Chalk Buttes (Chuk Buttes) fuels-reduction project, contractor staffing constraints and small infrastructure repairs.

Storm damage and contracting: The representative said the Forest Service received disaster funding to clean storm damage primarily along roads in the Ekalaka Hills and Long Pines but that the work awaits assignment to a contracting officer; some road, weed-treatment and tree-cleanup efforts were included in the funding request. County and Forest Service staff noted that contracting capacity is limited and some work may slip into the next fiscal year.

NEPA for Chuk/Chalk Buttes: The state (DNRC) agreed to fund a contractor to prepare NEPA analyses for landscape treatments in the Chalk Buttes area. The agency said the formal NEPA kickoff would occur in the fall after field work completes and that a decision is expected by about Oct. 1. Proposed treatments include hazardous-fuels reduction, selective thinning, prescribed fire and possible timber-sale work; road upgrades would be required to support some work.

Other updates: The district reported a lightning-caused 6-acre fire in the Long Pines that was suppressed, the need to repair a partially washed-out culvert on Exie Creek, and the presence of a five-person Student Conservation Association crew supporting thinning and roadside work through October. Staff said funds for noxious-weed follow-up are planned for 2026–27, tied to the disaster clean-up and subsequent treatments.

Cooperative-agreement discussion: Commissioners asked about cooperating-agency status and whether the county should pursue a formal cooperative agreement with the Forest Service for larger NEPA projects; the district said cooperating agency status can be requested and that the county's early input is valuable. Staff offered to coordinate further outreach and to review master-plan and easement documents to guide land-acquisition decisions in parallel with NEPA work.