Westside Restoration Project environmental assessment finds no impact

BONNERS FERRY — The ranger district of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests has prepared an environmental assessment and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact for the Westside Restoration Project.

This project would conduct a variety of natural resource management activities within a 60,000-acre project area that includes the Cascade, Myrtle, Snow, and Caribou Creek drainages. Ninety-eight percent of the project area occurs within the wildland-urban interface of Boundary County, Idaho and includes all of Myrtle Creek — the current source of surface drinking water for the City of Bonners Ferry.

“We appreciate all the assistance we have received from the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative and the public during the planning and analysis phases of this collaborative project,” said District Ranger Kevin Knauth. “This public engagement and enthusiasm have been critical to the overall project design and in writing this draft decision.”

The project includes about 7,152 acres of commercial vegetation management, mainly using ground-based and skyline equipment. Noncommercial vegetation treatments include about 2,482 acres of prescribed burning and 1,730 acres of pre-commercial thinning. Additional activities would be implemented to improve the aquatic habitat, road safety, recreational opportunities, and control noxious weeds.