January 26, 2005

Mick Schanilec

Area Supervisor

Priest Lake State Forest

4053 Cavanaugh Bay Road

Coolin, ID 83821

Dear Mick,

Thank you for sending the proposed 2005 timber sales plan.  We have comments on several of the proposed harvest areas.

For all harvest areas we are interested in your specific plans for closing roads. Roads both spread weeds and allow damaging vehicle access.  We are significantly concerned about the spread of noxious weeds.  Although steps are taken for weed control, the battle is being lost.  Where roads go, the noxious weeds inevitably follow. Significant care should be taken before undertaking any action that will enhance noxious weeds.  Will any access roads be obliterated on completion of harvest?

River Camp

This harvest area adjoins outstanding wetlands and peatlands. The River Camp harvest is our greatest concern, and we would be glad to visit the area with you.  We are concerned about weeds from the proposed spur roads.  This harvest area is immediately adjacent to wetlands and erosion from harvest or roads can significantly damage those wetlands and any sensitive plants in them. A recent field visit revealed that wetlands in the area are already suffering damage from recreational vehicle access.  A weed problem exists as a result of that same access.  This is especially unfortunate as sensitive plants exist in this area, inventoried in Idaho Fish and Game’s Conservation Data Center , in some of the same spots already damaged by vehicular access.  Securing low and wet spots from recreational vehicles at the end of harvest should be a high priority of this project.

Phoebe Track

The access road for this harvest area appears to cross Class I streams three times.  Three miles of roadway will be upgraded or constructed for this harvest project.  We are concerned that gating and barricading good-quality roads is not completely effective in keeping out unwanted recreational vehicles.  We ask that you obliterate roads that are likely to continue receiving use in this area, especially near Class I streams. Streams and their adjoining wetlands are very susceptible to damage from sedimentation and erosion.  This number of crossings concerns us significantly. 

Bugle Echo

It appears that the access road needed to harvest these tracts will open a parcel of private property to development.  Will this road be closed upon completion of the timber harvest?  If it is not to be closed, and private landowner access is being provided at taxpayer expense, what requirements or restrictions will be put on the private owner as a result of the public investment in his property?  We are concerned that heavy traffic on this road will ensure a noxious weed problem.

Huckleup

We are curious about the access planned to this harvest area.  Will you have to construct roads over Class I streams to reach this cut?  If so we are concerned about damage to the streams and adjacent wetlands.

Middle Fly

This sale calls for construction of 3.5 miles of new access road.  The sale follows the Middle Fork of the East River , as well as including Class II streams.  We are very concerned about the impact of this much new road on nearby streams, and on the proliferation of noxious weeds.  We ask that you look carefully at this project because of the extensive road building.  We also ask the roads be obliterated afterward to preclude unauthorized use by recreation vehicles. Because this harvest follows the river, we are very concerned that adequate buffers protect the waterway from erosion and sedimentation.

We appreciate the role PLSF plays in funding public education in Idaho .  Thank you very much for this opportunity to comment; we value our constructive relationship with you.

Sincerely,

Molly O’Reilly