USFS seeks input on Honey Badger assessment

COEUR d'ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft finding of no significant impact (draft FONSI) to document effects of activities proposed in the Honey Badger project area. The 52,600-acre project area is located on Forest Service administered lands east of the Highway 95 corridor through Kootenai County from northeast of Coeur d'Alene to just southeast of Bayview.

Activities are proposed primarily to improve forest resiliency, reduce future wildfire intensity, and create a more sustainable trail system in the Canfield Mountain recreation area. Commercial timber harvest would contribute jobs and other benefits to communities, and road work would help reduce impacts to the watersheds in the project area.

The project was developed through discussions with the Panhandle Forest Collaborative and local trails working group, with an extensive outreach to landowners, recreation groups, other local agencies, and the public. Members of the public participated in multiple field trips to the area and open house meetings.

Dan Scaife, District Ranger for the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, is thrilled to be at this point in the planning process. “This is a momentous occasion for local and regional communities, external and internal stakeholders, as well as the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District in terms of the proposed health and sustainability of our natural resources, improved recreational opportunities, increased protection from wildfires, and economic outputs. We are extremely thankful for all the public interest and could not have gotten to this point without the support of our partners and ongoing engagement with stakeholders to develop the project. We are looking forward to any additional input that the public has on the proposed actions.”

Public comments will be accepted for 30 calendar days following publication of legal notice in the Coeur d’Alene Press newspaper on May 17. Specific comments on the project will help the Forest Service finalize the analysis and ensure public concerns are thoroughly considered. The environmental assessment, maps, other supporting documentation and information on how to comment is available on the project website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56220.

If there are questions about the project, please contact Kerry Arneson (kerry.arneson@usda.gov) or 208-664-2318.