RSS

2010 Firewood Permits Available April 1st

jmlubke@fs.fed.us (Forest Service) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:01:40 GMT

Personal firewood cutting permits for the 2010 cutting season will go on sale at all Bitterroot National Forest offices on April 1st.

Permits are good for one year, beginning April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. The cost is $7.00 per cord and there is a four cords ($28) minimum purchase. Each household is allowed a maximum 12 cords of firewood per year. Firewood obtained under these permits is not for commercial resale.

Every firewood permit issued will be accompanied by a load ticket. These bright green tickets are required to be stapled and visible on all loads of firewood coming off the Bitterroot National Forest.

A cord measures 4’wide by 4’ high in an 8’ long stack. These personal use firewood permits allows you to remove downed timber or to cut standing dead trees under most conditions on National Forests and Grasslands, Bureau of Land Management lands within Montana and Northern Idaho, and portions of North and South Dakota.

It is important to check with the local ranger station to see if there are any specific local restrictions or requirement regarding where one can cut firewood. Also keep in mind these rules:
Wood cutters must have their firewood permit and load ticket with them while harvesting wood
You must have an approved spark arrester on chainsaws and splitters
No fuel wood can be cut within 150 feet of streams, creeks or waterways
Trees or logs cannot be felled or skidded across live streams

For further information contact the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office (406) 363-7100.

Comments Sought for Grazing Reauthorization near Sula, Montana

bob@explorethebitterroot.com (Bob Sherman) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:07:12 GMT

{jcomments on}The Bitterroot National Forest’s Sula Ranger District is seeking comments on a proposal to reauthorize grazing on the Sula Peak and East Fork grazing allotments. Sula Ranger District is seeking comments on a proposal to reauthorize grazing on the Sula Peak and East Fork grazing allotments. We are in the scoping phase of this project to glean comments from our interested public on the management of these allotments. We will tailor our proposed action based on the comments we receive during scoping to shape the alternatives for the Environmental Assessment.

The Forest must respond to the direction Congress has given by completing the environmental assessment for this area. Livestock grazing is an authorized ongoing activity on the two allotments with records dating back seventy (70) years to 1940. Existing conditions currently meet or are trending towards Forest Plan goals and objectives. The proposed action calls for progressive management that would reduce stocking numbers, allow for rest rotation of range land, combine two allotments and shorten the grazing season. The proposed action would make it easier to both stay within the allowable grazing impacts and to maintain good resource conditions.

Bitter Root Resource Conservation & Development Council Sweeps Awards

bob@explorethebitterroot.com (Bob Sherman) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:36:09 GMT

Most who are familiar with the Bitter Root Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council know it’s a treasure for our valley, but it’s worth was proven recently when members of the Ravalli County based RC&D swept a recent 10-state awards competition.

Resource Conservation & Development Councils from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming met in Missoula last month for their annual conference. As awards were announced, those affiliated with the Bitter Root RC&D received recognition as Western RC&Ds’ Coordinator of the Year, Employee of the Year, Council of the Year and Partner of the Year.

Regional Forester Announces Two New Forest Supervisors in Montana

bob@explorethebitterroot.com (Bob Sherman) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:08:29 GMT

U.S. Forest Service Northern Regional Forester Leslie Weldon recently announced the two newest Forest Supervisors to Montana. Julie King is the new Bitterroot National Forest (NF) Supervisor and Chip Weber will take the reins as Forest Supervisor for the Flathead NF.

“Julie and Chip bring great leadership to the region,” said Weldon. “I am excited about the contributions they will make in leading these forest employees, to natural resource stewardship, and to building partnerships in their respective communities.”

Proposed Missoula DUI Law Just Another Assault on Liberty

bob@explorethebitterroot.com (Bob Sherman) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:08:28 GMT

Refusing a breath test in Missoula would be charged as a misdemeanor with a first offense fine of $300 if Councilman Dave Strohmaier has his way. The councilman convened a DUI panel to talk during a recent Public Safety and Health Committee meeting. Councilman Strohmaier chairs the committee. One of the ideas that emerged was making refusal of blood or breath tests a misdemeanor and the city attorney's office moved quickly on a draft.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Benjamin Franklin

Timber salvage work scheduled to resume in Smith Creek Area of Gash Fire Salvage

bob@explorethebitterroot.com (Bob Sherman) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:19:58 GMT

Hamilton, Montana, February 2, 2010 — The Bitterroot National Forest, Stevensville Ranger District announces the continuation of salvage operations on the 2006 Gash Fire. As weather permits, harvest operations will resume in February and continue this winter in the Smith Creek drainage.

Forest users and homeowners in the area can expect to see equipment working in the area, especially along or adjacent to the Smith Creek road number 1321. Caution signs will be posted at appropriate locations to alert road users. The public is advised to drive with caution in the area and expect to meet log trucks on forest roads 1321 and 738. For public safety, a road closure will be implemented on Forest Development Road 1321 from the junction with Forest Development Road 13103 to the end of road 1321. The closure will be in effect from 6 AM Monday thru 6 PM Friday. The salvage harvest and the related road closure are expected to continue until the snow melts and roads dry in the spring.

For more information contact Pat McKinnon at the Darby Ranger District (406-821-3913).

Subscribe to The Bitterroot

Post a Classified Ad

bob@explorethebitterroot.com (Bob Sherman) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:08:52 GMT

Posting a classified ad is free! Why wade through all those long distance ads on Craigslist when you have your very own free Bitterroot Valley classifieds? Simply register with the site, login, go to the classified page and click on add an entry. In a few minutes you'll have your add online for everyone to see. You can post photos, also. Your information is guarded by our strict privacy policy.

Add your Free Business Listing

bob@explorethebitterroot.com (Bob Sherman) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:58:21 GMT

We welcome you to add a simple business listing to our site. Creating a listing is simple and it's free! You can also maximize your listing with logos, photos, descriptions and weblinks. Remember, the more information you give, the more likely a client will contact you for your services. We are convinced that The Bitterroot will bring you more and better customers than any other advertising medium.