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Fuel reduction program approved

By SCOTT McMILLION, Chronicle Staff Writer

A fuel reduction program in the Boulder River Canyon south of Big Timber can proceed, Forest Service bosses in Missoula have ruled.


 "I find the (Gallatin National) Forest supervisor has made a reasoned decision and has complied with all laws, regulations and policy" Kathleen A. McAllister, deciding officer for the Forest Service's Northern Region headquarters, wrote in a Nov. 7 decision letter.

She was ruling on appeals of the project by the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, based in Missoula, and the Native Ecosystems Council, based in Three Forks.

Michael Garrity, the Alliance's executive director, said Wednesday his group hasn't decided whether to take its case to federal court.

"Now we have to talk to our attorney," he said.

Garrity maintains the proposal violates the Endangered Species Act by harming grizzly bear and lynx habitat. He said it also violates rules that ban logging within a quarter mile of the river and will cost more than the Forest Service says it will.

The Forest Service says the overall goal is to improve public safety in the heavily used drainage, where as many as 3,000 people can be found on busy summer weekends.

One narrow road provides the only exit for people using church camps, trails, cabins and trailheads there.

Plus, there is heavy fuel in the canyon and a major wildfire there could leave a lot of people stranded and in danger.

Big Timber District Ranger Bill Avey says he wants to improve the evacuation route.

Plans call for removing trees and brush on 2,500 acres along a 24-mile corridor flanked by the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Area.

About 4.5 million board feet of merchantable timber would be cut and sold to defray expenses.

Environmental groups based in Bozeman, Livingston and the Boulder Valley have endorsed the plan, as have many residents and users in the canyon.

Avey said he will begin soon with contracting and will give it a "best effort" to start the multi-year project this winter.

Scott McMillion is at scottm@dailychronicle.com

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