Strategic Planning and Resource Assessment

Forest Service 2003 Success Stories

Success Stories: Lakeface-Lamb Land Stewardship Contract

The Lakeface-Lamb Land Stewardship Project is a wildland/urban interface project focused on the residential and commercial development along the southwest shore of Priest Lake and the unincorporated community of Lamb Creek in the panhandle of Northern Idaho. The project was identified as the highest priority wildland/urban interface project on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF). Lakeface-Lamb is a National Fire Plan (NFP) project.

Approximately 7200 acres lie within the boundaries of the project, encompassing 2000 acres of private land and 5200 acres of National Forest lands. An estimated 250-300 year-round residents and 1100-1300 seasonal residents live within the project area. With increasing development on private land, the project area is experiencing problems typical of an urban/wildland interface. Among these are declining forest health, a decrease in availability of wildlife habitat, fuel buildup, and the introduction of weeds and other non-native species.

The Priest Lake Ranger District worked closely with representatives from the local communities of Priest Lake, Priest River, Idaho, and Newport, Washington, in the submittal of the stewardship proposal. A stewardship committee was formed representing a cross-section of the community, and received financial backing from the Priest River Development Corporation (PRDC), a non-profit corporation for 30 years.

The focus of the project is fuel reduction. The 7-year stewardship contract also includes a variety of land management activities to improve water quality, recreational facilities, vegetative conditions, and wildlife habitat. Specific projects include noxious weed treatment, culvert replacement; road maintenance; road and ATV trail obliteration; trail construction and maintenance; warming hut construction; toilet construction; riparian fencing; interpretive sign construction; fishing access construction; snag creation; precommercial thinning; and white pine pruning. Many of these resource improvement projects will accomplish work that otherwise may not have been accomplished because of lack of funding or personnel.

Broad community support exists for the project. Extensive public involvement between the Forest Service, local residents and recreationists has empowered local citizens. Trust, credibility and support are being built among everyone by directing their economic, social, and environmental concerns towards forest restoration goals.

USDA Forest Service - Strategic Planning and Resource Assessment
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18 May 2004 at 11:33:32 EDT