About Us
In January of 2006, many in Lincoln County felt frustration over legal challenges that held up and stopped logging activities on the Kootenai National Forest. There was a clear need to find a better way. A meeting was arranged at the Forest Service Regional office in Missoula. From that meeting, the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition was born - a coalition of the willing. The list of original participants says something about the diversity of perspectives and interests; Jeff Juel of the Ecology Center, Josh Anderson, Vaagen Bros. logging, Paul Rumelhart, Kootenai River Development Corp., John Konzen, Lincoln County Commissioner, Russ Vaagen, Vaagen Bros. logging, Robyn King, Yaak Valley Forest Council, Matthew Koehler, Native Forest Network, Bob Clark, Sierra Club, Mike Petersen, Lands Council, Tim Baker, Montana Wilderness Association, Rich Lane, Forestry Consultant, Bob Castaneda and John Carlson with the Kootenai National Forest and Region One staff, George Weldon, Cindy Swanson, and Ed Nesselrod.

Almost two years later the Stakeholders continue to find common ground on resource management issues. Up until now, projects in the wildland-urban interface, focusing on wildfire protection for local communities, have been the focus. We considered this the low hanging fruit. These types of projects have enabled the Stakeholders to build a record of accomplishment, momentum, and trust. We also address restoration, recreation, and wilderness issues. These issues were explicitly written into our mission and objectives. We look forward to having a strong enough coalition to be able to make a difference on these issues.

To date the Stakeholders have endorsed five fuel-reduction projects and helped negotiated a sixth. The work covers some 7,000 acres in the Wildland-Urban Interface; Meadows, Green Mountain, West Elk, Kootenai River North, Camp 32, and Obermayer. These projects will produce over 16 mbf of wood products. The Stakeholders voted with a “Consensus without Reservation” recommendation on every endorsement. That certainly says something.

The forest service does an excellent job analyzing and explaining proposals, hosting field tours, and providing technical assistance. The agency retains decision making authority on management activities. The Stakeholders serve as a sounding board for the forest service and does not initiate projects, the Forest Service brings projects to us. So far, this has worked pretty well.

Some of the Stakeholders seek to have a sustainable and predictable timber sale program upon which the local economy can rely upon for long-term economic stability. Some are hoping that the work can eventually lead to wilderness designation. Others have an interest in promoting certain recreation opportunities. This has never been a secret. We respect these diverse interests. Environmentalists are not against all logging after all and loggers have expressed support for new wilderness. Common ground exists. There has been a good faith effort to build on the mutual interests that do exist, build on our successes and we hope to continue to help steer management of OUR national forests for the benefit of all.