January 24, 2007
For Immediate Release:
Seeley Lake, MT – A variety of Montana leaders and groups interested in landscape-level conservation approaches in the Blackfoot watershed Wednesday unveiled a draft Landscape Pilot Project which provides a comprehensive approach for managing public lands.
The draft plan was developed during two years of meetings and negotiations with timber interests, recreationists, private landowners and conservation groups, involves the 400,000-acre Seeley Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest within the Blackfoot watershed as well as lands within the public-private 41,000-acre Blackfoot Community Conservation Area. The proposal seeks a balance of protecting traditional ranching, hunting, fishing and other uses in concert with conserving water, wildlife, wilderness, and sustainable forestry.
Today’s unveiling of the proposal marks the next step in the process of soliciting public input regarding the grass-roots proposal; which would eventually include congressional funding for the Blackfoot stewardship pilot project and a biomass project in Seeley Lake, as well as additions to the Bob Marshall-Scapegoat and Mission Mountain Wilderness totaling 87,000 acres.
“This landscape level proposal recognizes that the Blackfoot Valley is a unique ecosystem with significant forest, wildlife, wilderness and outdoor recreation resources and will facilitate forest stewardship on the landscape including sustainable logging and restoration work as well as watershed improvements and hazardous fuels reductions,” said Gordy Sanders of Pyramid Lumber, Inc. “The project will add logging and restoration jobs to the local economy over the long term.”
“This proposal represents a common-sense approach that recognizes diverse uses of the land, said Bob Ekey, Northern Rockies Regional Director for The Wilderness Society. “The proposal fosters forest management, fuel reduction and restoration on lower elevation Forest Service lands that have already been roaded and as one moves upslope backcountry stewardship is emphasized, combining areas suited for backcountry recreation and wilderness.”
The Blackfoot valley has a strong wilderness history and is the site of the first citizen-initiated wilderness in the nation – the Scapegoat Wilderness.
“By working cooperatively , we all get more done. We can secure lasting commitments to conserve deserving areas of wilderness for our kids and families, while at the same time expand successful stewardship programs,” said John Gatchell of the Montana Wilderness Association.
“Wildlife and wilderness add much to the local outdoor heritage, as well as providing the valley with sustainable jobs in outfitting, guiding, trail-maintenance, and support services for hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists,” said Jack Rich of Rich Ranch Outfitting and Guest Ranch. “This is a balanced approach that offers access and protection to the lands we treasure,” Rich added.
Ron Ogden, president of the Seeley Lake Drift Riders snowmobile group said, “The entire proposal includes our input and does a good job balancing uses across the landscape. Snowmobiling and winter recreation is critically important to the local economy from Seeley Lake to Lincoln.”
“All the activities of this pilot project are consistent with the proposed revisions to the Lolo National Forest Management Plan and provide mechanisms to implement the plan,” said Tim Love, Seeley Lake Ranger.
“We look forward to being part of this project’s stewardship contracting partnership that will include logging, with the receipts from the forest management activities being used for restoration work on the ground including watershed improvements, road rehabilitation work, weed eradication and improvements to elk habitat,” said Al Christophersen with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
“Within the 41,000 acre Blackfoot Community Conservation Area, cooperative management of timber, livestock grazing, weeds, hunting and other recreational uses is being planned,” said Hank Goetz, Lands Director for the Blackfoot Community Project.
“The Blackfoot has a vision of a community and conservation approach to the entire Blackfoot River watershed. This vision includes protecting traditional ranching, hunting, fishing and other uses, in concert with conserving water and wildlife, wilderness and sustainable forestry activities. This landscape proposal is a shining example of how partnerships can and should work,” said Jim Stone, Ovando Rancher and a member of the consortium.
“With the conversion of Plum Creek timberlands to other private, state and federal ownerships in the Blackfoot watershed, a concept is emerging that brings balance to the landscape by addressing restoration, sustainable logging, ranching, recreation and wilderness uses across the landscape. This balance is emerging from consensus after a two-year dialogue among key stakeholders. It demonstrates that wilderness and wildlife can be protected alongside historic and traditional activities on the landscape,” according to Tina Bernd-Cohen, project coordinator.
“Participants believe this proposal represents a new model for landscape-level conservation in Montana,” Bernd-Cohen added. “This proposal would help keep historic and traditional activities as part of the landscape, add diversity and sustainability to the local economy with both recreation and forestry jobs, and enhance watersheds and the landscape.”
The Blackfoot Challenge welcomes public comment this evening, Wednesday, January 24 at 7 PM at the Ovando School Gym.