Notice2025-17663
Kootenai National Forest; Montana; Pilgrim Creek Timber Sale Project
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The USDA Forest Service is giving notice of its intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the Pilgrim Creek Timber Sale Project on the Cabinet Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest, in Montana. Forest Supervisor Chadwick Benson plans to prepare a SEIS to update assumptions related to closed roads barrier effectiveness, in alignment with the monitoring data that has been reported and incorporates results of Endangered Species Act consultation consistent with Case No. 9:18-cv-00067-DWM Memorandum and Decision Order (October 3, 2019). The environmental analysis will follow 36 CFR 220 (rescinded in 2025 by 90 FR 29632). The original project was developed using 36 CFR 220 regulations. The Forest has chosen to complete the SEIS using the same regulations as the original EIS.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 175 (Friday, September 12, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 175 (Friday, September 12, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44159-44160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17663]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Kootenai National Forest; Montana; Pilgrim Creek Timber Sale
Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact
statement.
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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service is giving notice of its intent to
prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the
Pilgrim Creek Timber Sale Project on the Cabinet Ranger District of the
Kootenai National Forest, in Montana. Forest Supervisor Chadwick Benson
plans to prepare a SEIS to update assumptions related to closed roads
barrier effectiveness, in alignment with the monitoring data that has
been reported and incorporates results of Endangered Species Act
consultation consistent with Case No. 9:18-cv-00067-DWM Memorandum and
Decision Order (October 3, 2019). The environmental analysis will
follow 36 CFR 220 (rescinded in 2025 by 90 FR 29632). The original
project was developed using 36 CFR 220 regulations. The Forest has
chosen to
[[Page 44160]]
complete the SEIS using the same regulations as the original EIS.
DATES: There is no comment period at this time. The next opportunity
for public input will be when the draft SEIS is published. The draft
SEIS is expected November 2025; the comment period for the draft SEIS
will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency
publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register. The final
SEIS is expected in November 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Feiger, Cabinet District
Ranger, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90fdf9f3f8f1f5fcbef6f5f9f7f5e2d0e5e3f4f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d1bcb8b2b9b0b4bdffb7b4b8b6b4a391a4a2b5b0ffb6bea7">[email protected]</span></a>, phone:406-827-0714.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may call 711 to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service
and then provide the phone number of the person named as a point of
contact for further information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SEIS will focus on the portions of the
project in the Tobacco and Clark Fork Bear Out of Recovery Zone (BORZ)
units based on current monitoring data and open road miles assessing
effects to grizzly bears. The Pilgrim Creek Timber Sale Project
analysis evaluated the potential effects of five alternatives,
including no action and four action alternatives. The record of
decision was signed on May 7, 2013. The SEIS will update information
related to closed roads barrier effectiveness including monitoring data
that has been reported and incorporate results of the Endangered
Species Act consultation.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose and need for action are to maintain and increase forest
resilience to insects, decrease disease and disturbance by increasing
age-class diversity in lodgepole pine stands, improve growing
conditions and favoring root disease resistant species in mixed conifer
stands affected by root disease, and improve big game forage production
while providing for the local economy through commercial timber
harvest.
Proposed Action
The Kootenai National Forest proposes to complete remaining
activities previously authorized by the May 2013 record of decision
including:
<bullet> Timber harvest--11 units (approximately 219 acres).
<bullet> Prescribed burning--19 burn units (approximately 4,564
acres).
<bullet> Planting--Required 30 acres; species diversity 232 acres;
post-harvest up to 2019 acres.
<bullet> Road storage after project implementation (stabilize and
berm install)--1 gate removal; 2 berm installs for 2 roads;
approximately 4.7 miles.
Preliminary Alternatives
Four action alternatives, in addition to the no action alternative,
were considered. Action alternatives would meet the purpose and need of
this project. Alternative 3 is the preferred alternative and was
authorized by the record of decision (May 2013). Alternatives 3 and 4
are the environmentally preferable alternatives.
Expected Impacts
Effectiveness of barriers on closed roads within the Clark Fork and
Tobacco BORZ units will be evaluated. The supplemental environmental
impact statement will update assumptions related to closed road barrier
effectiveness in alignment with the monitoring data that has been
reported and incorporate results of consultation.
Responsible Official
Chadwick Benson, Kootenai Forest Supervisor, Kootenai National
Forest, 31374 U.S. Hwy. 2, Libby, MT 59923.
Scoping and Draft SEIS Comment Process
This project was originally initiated in 2010 with the scoping of
the proposed action. In 2011 public scoping was again initiated in
reference to the opening sizes exceeding 40 acres and the requirement
for a project specific Forest Plan amendment related to open road
density in areas managed for big game summer range. Next, on March 23,
2012, a notice of intent was published in the Federal Register. The
following year, a notice of availability was published in the Federal
Register on February 8, 2013, and started a 45-day comment period.
There will be no scoping conducted for this supplemental environmental
impact statement (SEIS). The scope of the Pilgrim Creek Timber Sale
Project final EIS (May 2013) established the scope for this SEIS.
A public review and comment opportunity on the draft SEIS will be
announced in the Federal Register and on the Kootenai National Forests'
project website, as well as other local media. Please visit the Pilgrim
Creek Timber Sale Project web page at: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/projects/31645">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/projects/31645</a>.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Based upon the updated BORZ consultation, the responsible official
will decide whether alternative 3 as set forth in the May 2013 record
of decision will continue to be implemented.
Beattra Wilson,
Associate Deputy Chief State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, National
Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2025-17663 Filed 9-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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