Name

Trail

Priority Landscape Category

20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan: Eastern WA Priority Landscapes

Description

In the Trail priority landscape (or priority planning area) ownership is split between the Colville National Forest (40%), private (28%), industrial forestland (18%), DNR (8%), and the Kalispel Tribe (5%).

• Fire risk is highest around Bead and Marshall Lakes, as well as in the central eastern portion and in the far north (Fig. 2). Although fuel loads are high in these areas, burn probability is low, resulting in moderate risk.
• Projected warming over the next 20-40 years will likely shift climate conditions suitable for moist and cold forest towards conditions suitable for dry forest. North-facing slopes should continue to support moist forest into the future.
• Treating 34-46% of forested acres is recommended to increase resilience and reduce fire risk to communities using a combination of mechanical, prescribe fire, and managed wildfire treatments.
• Treatment priority is generally highest on south-facing slopes in the southern 2/3rds of the planning area. Much of the private land east of the Pend Oreille River is also medium to high priority.
• The Kalispel Tribe requested initiation of a forest restoration project on the Colville National Forest (CNF) under the Tribal Forest Protection Act. This restoration project, known as Swxuytn-Kaniksu Connections ‘Trail’, is a joint planning effort of the CNF, Tribe, and DNR, which will address much of the restoration need on the CNF within the planning area.

For more information view and download the full landscape evaluation summary.  Data layers and other information associated with the landscape evaluation are available on Box.

External Resources