Community Dialogue and Cooperation

Whiskey South Forest Stewardship

This project was developed to reduce the risk of high intensity wildland fire to life, property and natural resources in the Elk City area by modifying existing fuel continuity and patterns, and creating fuel break mosaics; to improve conditions for fire adapted forest stands; and to improve the quantity and quality of elk winter range through the use of timber harvest and prescribed fire. The project is located 2.5 miles southwest of the town of Elk City, ID. Two small residential subdivisions and a saw mill adjoin the project area.

The Cottonwood Field Office sent a scoping letter identifying the objectives of the proposal and seeking comments and issues to 220 individuals, groups and agencies. It was followed by an adjacent landowners meeting to explore opportunities for cooperative efforts under the National Fire Plan. The Field Office (FO) then assisted in organizing and participated in several public meetings regarding the proposal: the Cottonwood FO Manager participated as a panel member on discussion on forest health and fire risk in Elk City sponsored by Elk City Women in Timber and Save Elk City, and the Coeur d’Alene District Manager was a panel member at Senator Craig’s “listening session” on forest health and fire risk in the Red River watershed (where a portion of our proposal is located).

The combined attendance at these meetings exceeded 500 people. The FO staff then was invited to meet with and present our project proposal and status at a public meeting sponsored by Save Elk City and Idaho Women in Timber, Elk City Chapter. This meeting was attended by 31 people. Additionally, the FO staff and manager met with the board of directors of Framing Our Community; a local nonprofit group, and 30 residents of the American River subdivision. Meetings also were held meetings with the Watershed Division of the Nez Perce Tribe to discuss the proposal. The Tribe has subsequently expressed interest in participating in the project.

All of these community meetings and discussions have resulted in strong local support for the project and BLM’s forest, sensitive species and resources management, and fire risk reduction efforts in the area.

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