The Flathead National Forest has approved the Dry Riverside forest management project, according to nbcmontana.com. The initiative spans the Hungry Horse and Spotted Bear ranger districts and authorizes timber harvest and vegetation work across nearly 7,400 acres.

The project permits commercial timber harvest on 3,726 acres and vegetation treatments on 3,683 acres. Treatments include thinning, prescribed burning, and whitebark pine restoration efforts. More than 700 acres will be dedicated to whitebark pine restoration, which aims to increase genetic diversity and resistance to blister rust.

Forest managers plan to transition treated areas toward western larch and western white pine stands as part of the restoration strategy. The project completed its planning and administrative review process and is expected to begin work in 2027.

The Flathead National Forest framed the project as a step toward improving wildfire resilience in the region while restoring a native species that has faced significant decline.