(Lewistown) – The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is looking for public feedback on a new logging proposal south of Havre.
The DNRC’s Northeastern Land Office wants to harvest timber across roughly one hundred acres of state-owned land, located twenty-six miles south of the city. Known as the Big John Timber Permit, the project aims to thin out overstocked woods and salvage trees damaged during a 2017 wildfire and past beetle infestations.
Officials say the project would yield about five hundred thousand board feet of timber. Plans include salvaging dead Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine for firewood, which will clear space for healthier new growth. The project would also require fixing up local access roads and building less than a mile of new permanent and temporary paths.
Because the project is in its initial scoping phase, the DNRC is asking the public to submit comments to help shape the environmental assessment. Anyone wishing to weigh in or request more information can call the DNRC Northeastern Land Office at 406-538-7789.
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Initial Proposal
Big John Timber Permit
9/10/2026
The lands involved in this proposed project are held in trust by the State of Montana (Enabling Act of February 22, 1889; 1972
Montana Constitution, Article X, Section 11). The Board of Land Commissioners and the DNRC are required by law to administer
these trust lands to produce the largest measure of reasonable and legitimate return over the long run for the beneficiary
institutions (Section 77-1-202, MCA).
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Northeastern Land Office, is proposing to harvest timber
on the following state owned parcel:
Section 16, Township 28N, Range 17E
The proposed Big John Timber Permit is located 26 miles south of Havre, Montana.
The primary objectives of the project include commercially harvesting of overstocked timber, and salvaging fire-scorched timber
from a 2017 wildfire that affected parts of the section.
The Big John Timber Permit would treat approximately 100 acres, yielding approximately 500 Mbf. Two of the proposed treatment
units (approx. 60 acres) of Douglas Fir with a large component of burnt, dead standing trees would be treated using a shelterwood
harvest to salvage the dead trees for firewood and create space between the green residual trees to allow for increased health and
regeneration of the stands. Two of the units (approx. 40 acres) are comprised of Lodgepole Pine and show signs of past beetle kill
within the stands. A group selection harvest method would be used to reduce the overstory, allow for more regeneration of
Lodgepole Pine and salvage dead Lodgepole Pine for firewood. The proposed harvest would contribute to the DNRC’s sustained yield
as mandated by state statute 77-5-222.
Road maintenance and culvert replacement would occur on the existing access road into the project area. The access road will be
maintained and improved throughout the project duration. 0.25 miles of new permanent road and 0.5 miles of new temporary
roads would be constructed to access harvest units. These temporary roads would be reclaimed following harvest activities.
Noxious weed management, slash pile burning and reseeding of reclaimed roads and landings would occur following harvest.
The DNRC is in the scoping phase of the project environmental assessment so all volumes, acreages and road distances are
preliminary estimates. In preparation for this project, specialists such as wildlife biologists, hydrologists, soil scientists, and
archeologists will be consulted.
The Montana DNRC invites written comments and suggestions concerning this proposal. Please respond by 10/10/2026 to:
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Attn: Cody Knoop
Lewistown Unit
P.O. Box 1021, Lewistown MT 59457
Cody.knoop@mt.gov
406-535-1903
