Residents and preservationists warn log-staging at Basin Creek Historic Park has buried historic features; BSB pledges mitigation

Preservation advocates told the Butte-Silver Bow Historic Preservation Commission on March 3 that log-staging for an emergency fuels-reduction operation has covered or driven over historic features in Basin Creek Historic Park, and they urged immediate mitigation and careful monitoring.

The advocates, Mary McCormick and Mitzi Rossillon, said crews placed slash and cut logs across roughly two-thirds of the park lawn, buried two of three historic firepits and a spigot/vent pipe under slash, and damaged a historic fence. "The lawn is about 2/3rds covered with cut logs and slash piles," Rossillon said, and she described the park road as "obliterated." McCormick noted that the National Register nomination lists multiple historic features that should have been protected before staging began and said she had spoken with a retired U.S. Forest Service employee who told her the agency often completes projects without adverse effects; she argued that a cultural-resources professional should have flagged and cordoned the features before work commenced.

BSB Water Superintendent Jim Keenan described the fuels-reduction project as an emergency response to mountain pine beetle–killed trees that threaten Butte's water supply. "The area covers over 12 square miles and provides 60% of Butte’s water supply," Keenan said, noting that helicopter logging operations ran from November through March 1 and are expected to resume in mid-June. Keenan and others said the work has been funded by DNRC and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and that U.S. Forest Service representatives characterized the landing and removal as emergency operations.

Mark Neary, Butte-Silver Bow public works director, apologized to the commission "for not alerting the HPO" about staging decisions. He said crews accepted a landing-and-staging request from the logging crew, and BSB chose the park because it was the nearest practical landing site and the lawn already had been disturbed by staging for a dam project. Neary said the park is closed and "will continue to be closed for approximately two to three years while helicopter logging continues," but he committed to removing slash around the documented features, fencing the features off during remediation, and moving forward with a park-improvement project funded by a $700,000+ Butte Natural Resource Damage Restoration Council (BNRC) grant; an RFP for restoration work will be issued soon.

Commissioner Russell O'Leary pressed staff on alternatives and compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, noting that consultation required for federal undertakings had not been completed for the staging. Neary acknowledged the missed notification and said mitigation will be required for any adverse effects, while Keenan reiterated the emergency rationale and funding sources, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Historic Preservation Commission did not take formal enforcement action at the meeting. Chair Steve Hinick commended staff and advocates for bringing the matter forward and requested the item be revisited at the next meeting with a formal recommendation and plan of action. HPO Kate McCourt said Parks & Recreation Director Shawn Fredrickson will come before the commission to present the park-improvement plans; McCourt said she is on the RFP review committee.

Why it matters: Basin Creek Historic Park is part of the Basin Creek Historic Park District, which was listed on the National Register on November 27, 2023. Preservation advocates say features documented in the nomination were not adequately protected when log-staging began, raising questions about federal Section 106 processes and the local mitigation plan. The depot of logs in the park also affects local recreation access and will delay public reopening until logging and restoration are complete.

What comes next: The commission requested a revisit with a formal mitigation recommendation. BSB officials said they will remove slash from feature areas, fence off sensitive sites during remediation, and pursue the BNRC-funded park restoration through an upcoming RFP. The helicopter logging operation itself is scheduled to pause and resume in mid-June; the park closure is expected to last roughly two to three years.