Clearwater Officials Rule On Timber Sales Fish Bate, White Pine Approved; Lost Postman, Fern Star Canceled

Clearwater National Forest officials have decided the fate of four proposed timber sales in North Idaho.

In the North Fork District, the Fish Bate timber sale is proceeding, while the Fern Star sale was canceled.

The Fish Bate sale, which earlier survived an appeal by environmental groups, was sold in September, and bids were approved in October.

Although environmental groups have filed a notice of intent to sue, no further legal action has been taken, District Ranger Arthur Bourassa in Orofino said Thursday.

The Fern Star sale across the Clearwater River’s North Fork from the Fish Bate was more controversial. With environmental groups questioning the sale because of worries about soil stability, rare plants and old growth timber, the probability of administrative or legal challenges convinced officials not to pursue it.

“The cost is enough to say we shouldn’t move forward with it because of where it is.” Bourassa said. “If we’re going to be competitive, we have to reduce the cost of doing business.”

The Powell Ranger District also dropped the controversial Lost Postman timber sale along the Lochsa River west of Powell. With complaints about the sale tied to the Lolo Trail, rare fish habitat, water quality, roadless lands and the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River, officials decided it would be easier not to push for a sale.

The Clearwater staff got a victory during the past week in the Palouse Ranger District when Northern Region officials rejected an appeal by environmental groups seeking to shut down the White Pine Creek timber sale east of Harvard. The sale has been contentious for several years.

The proposal got hung up when Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman froze dozens of salvage sales last year. After the sale was proposed again this year, a coalition of seven environmental groups filed an administrative appeal against the project Sept. 24.

In a letter dated Monday, Deputy Regional Forester Kathleen A. McAllister said she rejected the appeal. Palouse District Ranger Carmine Lockwood in Potlatch said he expects to sell the timber in January.