In December 2025 and March 2026, Montana and Idaho were affected by severe wind events. Idaho Panhandle, Nez Perce-Clearwater, Lolo, Flathead, Bitterroot, and Kootenai Forests are proposing removal of wind damaged trees, fuel reduction, and replanting activities. https://usfs-public.box.com/s/1l9nad
The 2026 Blowdown Emergency Project is emergency response to the severe wind events in December 2025 and March 2026.
Emergency Actions pursuant to 7 CFR 1b.9(v)(2)(iv) to address imminent threats to life, property, and important natural, cultural, or historic resources have been requesed by the Chief of the Forest Service. Alternative arrangements would allow implementation to begin while an Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and associated emergency consultation (Endangered Species Act (ESA), State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and Tribal) are finalized. This analysis is being conducted pursuant to 7 CFR 1b.5 and 7 CFR 1b.6. The Final EA and Finding of No Significance (FONSI) will be posted to the Forest Service (USDA) website.
The entire 2026 Blowdown Emergency project area falls within the landscape identified by Secretary Rollins (April 3, 2025) in the Emergency Action Determination under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) section 40807. This project will contribute towards forest resilience, community protection, and ingress/egress. Acting Regional Forester, Troy Heithecker, has approved the use of the Forest Health and Hazardous Fuels EAD for the 2026 Blowdown Emergency project. This project will not be subject to the pre-decisional objection review process (36 CFR 218).
If you wish to provide substantive comments that meaningfully inform consideration of reasonably foreseeable impacts on the human environment, the resulting significance determination, decisions on how to proceed (alternatives), or compliance with applicable laws, executive orders, and regulations on this proposal, please do so before June 29, 2026.
Thank you for your interest in this project and in the management of your public lands.
The form below can be used to submit your comments to the responsible project official.
National Forests have the option to post comments for public viewing on this web site via a public reading room. Active reading rooms allow the public to read or download your letter, including your contact information. If this project has an active reading room, a link labeled “Public Comment Reading Room” will appear on the main project page. The agency may withhold letters containing proprietary information, sensitive cultural or habitat locations, profanity, etc. All letters, including those not posted, will be considered and included as part of the project record.
Disclaimer: All contact information is optional; however, anonymous comments will not provide standing to object.
