Humans Complicate Forest Planning

This deer was found off the side of Fernan Lake Road near the Idaho Panhandle National Forest on Wednesday. Growth of rural residences on the perimeter of the national forest means more hazards for wildlife. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

Heading to the Idaho Panhandle National Forests for some outdoor recreation? You’ll probably pass a rural subdivision. Encroaching houses are the new reality for the 2.5 million-acre forest, which released a new draft management plan this week. Since the latest forest plan was adopted in 1987, North Idaho has added nearly 100,000 residents. Not surprisingly, many of them want to live along scenic corridors and lakes abutting federal forest lands. New neighborhoods at Hayden Lake, Priest Lake, the eastern edge of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Pack River near Sandpoint are examples of rapid residential development near forest boundaries/ Becky Kramer , SR. More here.

Question: I know that he who has the gold makes the rules, especially in Idaho. But shouldn’t something be done to keep wilderness & wildlife separated as much as possible from rural development?