Forest Service seeks public input on Lindstrom project

Release Date: Aug 28, 2023

The St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests is proposing a forest health project in the 640-acre Lindstrom project area, about three miles southwest of Flat Creek, Idaho on Highway 3 in Benewah County.

The forested project site is within the Carlin Cree—St. Maries River and Beaver Creek—St. Maries River watersheds, which flow into the St. Joe River. The project area is primarily bordered by Idaho endowment lands and private property.

Initial review indicates that use of a categorical exclusion is appropriate.

The Lindstrom project is in the development phase. Objectives are to improve forest health by increasing the composition of desirable species, provide structure diversity, reduce tree densities, and improve the pattern of forest conditions. The project would also minimize impacts from roads to water quality, provide timber products for the local economy, and reduce hazardous fuels in areas where values are at risk.

The project will improve forest health by increasing resiliency to disturbances such as insects, disease, drought, and high severity wildfire through approximately 523 acres of vegetation treatments. Road management activities would include conducting a total of approximately six miles of road maintenance, reconditioning, culvert replacements, and temporary road construction.

Public comments will be accepted for 30 calendar days following publication on the Forest website on August 28, 2023. Specific comments on the project will help the Forest Service finalize analysis and ensure public concerns are thoroughly considered. The environmental assessment, maps, other supporting documentation, and information on how to comment is available on the project website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/ipnf/?project=64112.

If there are questions about the project, please contact Molly Retzlaff at molly.retzlaff@usda.gov.