The Flathead National Forest is proposing a project to salvage beetle-killed trees on approximately 1,300 acres about 10 miles south of Condon.
Swan Lake District Ranger Steve Brady says the district proposed the project to mitigate the effects of the mountain pine beetle infestation, harvest the trees while they are still economically valuable and reduce fuel buildup.
Brady says research shows that it’s not possible to stop a large scale pine beetle outbreak, but timely harvest can mitigate the effects.
The Swan Lake Ranger District has completed an environmental assessment on the project and is taking comment through Sept. 4. The work would involve using tractor logging systems during the winter, burning and chipping slash piles as well as some temporary road construction.