United States Department of Agriculture Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan Flathead, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Missoula, and Powell Counties, Montana Forest Service Northern Region November 2018 “. for the greatest good of the greatest number for the longest time.” —Gifford Pinchot, founding Chief of the Forest Service, 1905 Cover (images described clockwise from upper left): • South Fork of the Flathead River, Spotted Bear Ranger District • Forwarder working on the Paint Emery Resource Management Project, Hungry Horse- Glacier View Ranger District • Two hikers • Snowmobiler • View from trail to Pentagon Cabin in the Bob Marshall Wilderness (photo by Peter Borgesen) • Fireweed • White-tailed deer (photo by John Littlefield) Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan Flathead, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Missoula, and Powell Counties, Montana Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible official: Chip Weber, Forest Supervisor Flathead National Forest 650 Wolfpack Way Kalispell, MT 59901 406-758-5204 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan Table of Contents Preface .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Forest Plan Structure .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Plan Elements .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Distinctive Roles and Contributions of the Flathead National Forest .................................................................... 8 Chapter 2. Forestwide Direction .......................................................................................................................... 13 Physical and Biological Elements ......................................................................................................................... 13 Aquatic Ecosystems .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Watersheds ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 Conservation Watershed Network .................................................................................................................... 17 Riparian Management Zones ............................................................................................................................ 18 Soils and Geology ............................................................................................................................................. 23 Terrestrial Ecosystems and Vegetation ............................................................................................................. 25 Native Plant and Wildlife Species Diversity ........................................................................................................ 44 Non-Native Invasive Plants/Noxious Weeds ...................................................................................................... 51 Fire and Fuels Management ............................................................................................................................. 52 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................................................ 54 Human Uses, Benefits, and Designations of the Forest ........................................................................................ 55 Sustainable Recreation ..................................................................................................................................... 55 Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, and Wildlife Viewing .............................................................................................. 62 Scenery ............................................................................................................................................................ 62 Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................... 63 Lands and Special Uses ..................................................................................................................................... 69 National Scenic Trails ....................................................................................................................................... 70 Production of Natural Resources ......................................................................................................................... 72 Forest Vegetation Products: Timber .................................................................................................................. 72 Other Forest Products ....................................................................................................................................... 75 Energy and Mineral Resources .......................................................................................................................... 76 Livestock Grazing ............................................................................................................................................. 80 Social and Economic Environment ....................................................................................................................... 82 Social and Economic Systems ............................................................................................................................ 82 i Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan Partnerships and Coordination ......................................................................................................................... 82 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 83 Areas of Tribal Importance ............................................................................................................................... 85 Research and Education ................................................................................................................................... 85 Chapter 3. Management Area Direction .............................................................................................................. 86 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 86 1a Designated Wilderness ................................................................................................................................ 87 1b Recommended Wilderness Areas ................................................................................................................. 89 2a and 2b: Wild and Scenic Rivers ..................................................................................................................... 90 2a Designated Wild and Scenic River ................................................................................................................ 91 2b Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers ....................................................................................................................