Lolo Restoration Committee On-the-Ground Projects
The Lolo Restoration Committee is working on a few projects with the Lolo National Forest.
Auggie-Mountain Creek Restoration Project
This project will result in restoration of forest conditions on about 965 acres using commercial and noncommercial treatments; planting western larch and Douglas-fir on about 44 acres to enhance species diversity; maintaining approximately 10.65 miles of existing roads and 1.8 miles of trails; storing or decommissioning 1.78 additional miles of road; replacing 2 aquatic barrier culverts; and, conducting ground-based noxious weed herbicide treatments along approximately 12.45 miles of roads and trails, and other activities.
Status: Cleared planning stages without appeals or litigation and awaiting implementation. For the latest update, visit the Forest Service's Auggie Fuels Project page.
Marshall Woods Restoration Project
This is a restoration and fuel reduction project in the Lower Rattlesnake, Woods Gulch, and Marshall Creek areas near Missoula. While planning for the Marshall Woods project is in the early stages, with no Proposed Action yet established, the need for specific restoration work within the 13,000 acre project area includes the following potential work:
• Decrease the potential for high intensity fire in the area
• Benefit water quality through road and trail work
• Increase or maintain resilience to bark beetle and other disturbance through vegetative treatments
• Increase or maintain vegetation species composition of fire resistant species such as western larch or ponderosa pine
• Create stand conditions that could provide large trees in the future
• Provide economic benefit through commercial thinning
• Use prescribed burning to restore stand conditions and reduce potential for high intensity fire
The Missoula Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest is in the early stages of assessing restoration work in this area and a primary intent of the meeting is to gather ideas and comments about the proposed work from residents.
Status: The Forest Service is moving forward with identifying more specific treatment areas for this project. For the latest update, visit the Forest Service's Marshall Woods Restoration Project page.