Panhandle Forest Collaborative works for consensus on issues

PUBLIC LANDS — People with a special interest in North Idaho national forests are invited to sit in on the Panhandle Forest Collaborative . The next meeting will be noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Bonner County Administration Building, 1st Floor Conference Room, 1500 Highway 2 in Sandpoint

The group discusses issues by involving representatives from diverse perspectives including federal and state agencies, community nonprofit organizations, county commissioners, economic development, contractors, forest industry representatives, environmental and conservation groups, elected officials, concerned community members, landowners, tribes, recreation interests and local businesses.

The Panhandle Forest Collaborative focuses primarily within the Sandpoint, Priest Lake and portions of the Coeur d’Alene Ranger Districts with the goals of reducing litigation, promoting sustainable operations, enhancing travel and recreation opportunities, maintaining infrastructure for timber, ranching and recreation, and conserving native ecosystems, according to Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, chair of the group .

The group works to provide consensus recommendations for forest plans and projects.

Info: Johnson-Gebhardt, lizjg35@hotmail.com , (208) 448-0210).