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Stoltze Manager: Plan For Forest Needs, Not Budget Limitations

F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber in Columbia Falls, MT
Eric Whitney
F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber in Columbia Falls, MT

We’re continuing our series of interviews on the new management plan for the Flathead National Forest. We’ve heard from the Forest Service and the Montana Wilderness Association so far. This time we’re talking to a prominent timber company executive.

Paul McKenzie is the lands and resource manager at F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber in Columbia Falls. I spoke to him in his office.

"What we ask is to look at the suitable timber base we have, look at what our desired future conditions are for our Forest, and that should set the goals for the Forest as far as what we want to work towards."

The Flathead National Forest continues to take public comment on its draft forest management plan, with meetings in Superior, Lincoln and Choteau April 9, 14 and 15

Public meetings on the Flathead draft forest management plan

April 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Superior*
Superior Ranger Station Conference Room, Superior, MT 59872

April 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Lincoln*
Lincoln Community Hall, 404 Main St., Lincoln, MT 59639

April 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Choteau*
Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Ave. North, Choteau, MT 59422

*Primary focus is NCDE Grizzly Bear Amendment
 

Forest Plan Revision Schedule:

  • Assessment: Completed April 2014
  • Draft Proposed Action: Completed March 6, 2015
  • 60-day Scoping Period: March 6 – May 5, 2015
  • DEIS and 90-day comment period: January 2016 (late Jan-April)
  • FEIS & Draft ROD: December 2016
  • FEIS & Final ROD: June 2017
Eric Whitney is NPR's Mountain West/Great Plains Bureau Chief, and was the former news director for Montana Public Radio.
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