Governor Gianforte, Forest Service Chief announce forest management plans

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz have announced the selection of two key landscapes in Montana for forest management projects under Montana’s Shared Stewardship Agreement.

The initiative marks the beginning of a 20-year collaboration aimed at reducing wildfire risk, improving forest health and supporting Montana’s wood products industry. During a press conference at the Montana State Capitol, Gianforte emphasized the significance of this partnership.

"This is exactly what we envisioned when we signed this landmark Shared Stewardship Agreement," Gianforte said. "Partners working across boundaries to better protect communities, support timber jobs and restore healthy forests."

The selected landscapes include approximately 213,910 acres in the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests and 200,000 acres within the Bitterroot National Forest. These areas were chosen based on wildfire risk, planning opportunities and readiness for implementation.

Forest Service Chief Schultz highlighted the importance of joint efforts in forest management, stating, "When we plan treatments together – fuels reduction, timber sales and forest restoration – we create stronger community defenses."

DNRC Director Amanda Kaster also emphasized the importance of aligning state, federal and local partners early to deliver meaningful results expected by Montanans.

The first project under this agreement is the Blacktail Powerline Project, which focuses on reducing wildfire risk and protecting infrastructure along the Blacktail powerline corridor.

Kaster noted the project's priority, saying, "This project addresses significant wildfire risk near communities while protecting vital power infrastructure that serves the Flathead Valley."

The Shared Stewardship Agreement complements existing forest management projects, with DNRC supporting timber sales and restoration efforts on more than 40,000 acres through the Good Neighbor Authority in 2025.