Forest Service updates Bonner County on staffing, fuel treatments and paused projects

The Idaho Panhandle National Forest briefed Bonner County commissioners on leadership changes, wildfire‑risk work and several projects temporarily paused by litigation and federal species reviews.

Forest Supervisor Tim Gloone, representing the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, introduced Ben Johnson as the new district ranger for the Sandpoint Ranger District and described the scope and timing of several forest projects that affect Bonner County residents.

Gloone and Johnson outlined staffing updates and meeting frequency. Gloone said the district level update is most appropriate and noted recent leadership changes: “We currently have an acting in place, for the next couple of weeks and my shift, until February 10th. Chris Noyes… started officially, but he's on leave, has a new baby,” and said staff will provide updated contact information. Commissioners and Forest Service staff agreed to move toward less‑frequent routine updates — a suggested quarterly cadence for district‑level briefings and biannual forest‑level updates — with ad hoc meetings when events warrant.

Johnson, who said “This is my 2nd day on the job, so I am drinking from the fire hose,” gave project updates. He reported the Buckskin project is under litigation and “still assigned to judge Nye, and we're still pending a hearing date,” adding that the court schedule has delayed advertised timber sales tied to that project (seven sales are associated with Buckskin) and that the first sale “probably won't be advertised until Q1 of 26.” He also said a biological opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service related to endangered‑species review is expected “by 4 May of this year.”

Johnson described the Sandpoint South vegetation and fire project as roughly 80,000 acres on the north side of the lake; the team has initiated an interdisciplinary review with a proposed action targeted for Feb. 1, scoping and public participation beginning around March 1, a scoping period tentatively scheduled for March 7–April 6, a draft environmental analysis around May 14 and a second public comment period May 21–June 20, with a hoped‑for decision by the end of November.

A separate CNICSU OSV project is paused pending two notices of intent: one from the Fish and Wildlife Service concerning potential effects on grizzly bear, lynx and wolverine, and another from a snowmobile user group contesting an absence of Caribou in the area. Johnson said implementation that had been planned for the winter is paused and that a related biological opinion is due back to the Forest Service by April 30.

Commissioners and Forest Service staff discussed fuel‑reduction and active prevention methods. Staff described a range of approaches — from targeted thinning and larger openings to semi‑linear fuel breaks coordinated with utility corridors and major routes — and said priorities are set through the Forest Service program of work and by engagement with collaboratives and local stakeholders. Gloone said the Forest Service wants commissioners present for preseason wildfire coordination meetings so local officials can join discussions about operational delineations and risk before wildfire season.

On forest health, staff acknowledged localized problems such as root disease and insect pests. They described targeted responses including pheromone traps and small‑area treatments to limit spread and the use of hazard‑tree mitigation where root disease has increased risk at recreation sites.

Staff also described a shared‑stewardship "scattered lands" effort with the Idaho Department of Lands to plan burns and off‑forest treatments to help private landowners and reduce flood risk; acreage and the number of burns for that project were not finalized at the meeting and were described as “not specified.”

There were no formal votes or ordinance actions during the update. Staff said they will send updated contact information, provide next steps and, when possible, present maps and schedules for upcoming fuel‑treatment operations at subsequent meetings.

The meeting adjourned after the briefing.