Northern Region news

14 Pages·1995·1.3 MB·English

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.
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A Newsletter for Employees and Retirees ISSUE 10 October 1995
Mine Reclamation
Abandoned, Inactive
Mine Inventory,
Reclamation
Coordinated With States
by Norman W. Yogerst, Reclamation Specialist,
NRO, Division of Lands and Minerals
Charter Oak Mine Adit, Helena NF. Photo by Montana Department of State Lands. Abandoned
Mines Reclamation Bureau "Abandoned Hardrock Mine Priority Sites Project Report", 1994
ational Forests in Montana are pro¬ of Winston, Montana, Townsend RD. The Service and MBMG resources in
ceeding to inventory and evaluate State and the Forest Service will be sharing inventorying and investigating abandoned
reclamation required at abandoned and clean-up costs for these sites. The R-l mines in or near National Forests. The
inactive mine/mill sites. program addresses reclamation of both abandoned mine site information data base
Inventory work has been completed on the active mineral exploration and development includes soil, water and other mine site
Deerlodge NF. Inventories are underway on activities and abandoned/inactive information for site evaluations. R-1 has also
the Helena and Beaverhead NFs. Other mine operations. Inactive and abandoned mine entered into a Participating Agreement with
reclamation projects are underway in other work is also coordinated closely with the Idaho Geologic Survey (IGS) to update
areas in the Northern Region. The region is Regional Forest Service engineering, which Idaho’s computerized data file on mine sites
coordinating the abandoned mine has responsibility for administering the in the Clearwater, Idaho Panhandle and Nez
reclamation work in Montana with the Northern Region’s Federal Facility Perce NFs. We have chosen to structure
Montana Abandoned Mine Reclamation Compliance Program (FFCP). The FFCP formal working agreements with those
Bureau (MAMRB). We are working closely ensures that R-l National Forests are in agencies because they already have
with State and other Federal agencies to compliance with environmental laws, responsibility for and access to historical
ensure cooperative and efficient planning including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air mining information that can benefit our-
and execution of inventory and reclamation Act, Comprehensive Environmental programs. Most of the problem abandoned/
of abandoned/inactive mines. A Response, Compensation and Liability Act inactive mines have been around for
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU ) has (CERCLA), and Resource Conservation & decades. Some date back to times prior to
been initiated between MAMRB and the Recovery Act (RCRA). In order to meet our the creation of the National Forests. These
Deerlodge NF to clean up the Brooklyn responsibilities under FFCP, the Region has mines were authorized under the mining law
Mine, Philipsburg RD, Deerlodge NF, this established a mine site inventory/ discovery of 1872, a law that provided very little
summer. The Brooklyn Mine is in the procedure designed to identify, characterize control of how valuable minerals were to be
Boulder Creek drainage, about nine miles and document the status of literally mined. Abandoned and inactive mine
northeast of Philipsburg, Montana. A similar thousands of inactive and abandoned mines inventories in Montana and north Idaho
agreement has been made by the Helena NF in the National Forests. An agreement with National Forests are to be completed by
and MAMRB for the Vosburg Mine, in the the Montana Bureau of Mines & Geology 1999. There are no hard rock mines on
Elkhorn Mountains, about eight miles south (MBMG) provides for sharing Forest National Forest or National Grasslands of
-See MINES page 3
U.S. Department of Agriculture , Forest Service Northern Region Missoula, Montana
2
Leadership in
this nation will continue to ask us to be the
stewards of their public lands.
Changing Times The next two principles address what we
must do well in order to fulfill our
fundamental mission. They do not define our
mission or explain why there is a Forest
by Regional Forester Hal Salwasser,
T Service but they are essential to our success.
USDA Forest Service, Northern Region
Principle #3 is always strive for
hank you for the opportunity to share some personal principles that professional excellence. As professionals
have emerged from my 24 year association with the Forest Service from many different backgrounds, our
responsibility is to stay current in our chosen
(17 as an employee). They influence how I think about things and
profession; be active in professional
how I tend to approach priorities and decisions.
societies; and conduct our business openly,
First, however, I would like to say a few words about change, since every¬ objectively and truthfully. We will use the
one, everywhere talks so much about it. We are, obviously, in a time of best information and technology available
and be diligent to the goals and needs of our
great change. But change per se is not new. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus
employer, the American people.
said that change is the only permanent thing in the world. He was right. But
Principle #4 is be a good neighbor and
I doubt that he had any idea just how fast the pace or how large the magni¬
citizen of your community. As citizens of
tude of change would become. the communities in which we live, our
What makes this time of change so natural and cultural resources. The natural responsibility is to be good neighbors. Then
difficult for so many people has two aspects: resource part has the desired result of we should help our communities and
one, it touches on our livelihoods, traditions restoring and sustaining the health, beauty neighbors participate in any of our work that
and values; and two, so much of the change and productivity of the whole land affects them. A good neighbor will never be
is not under our control. That upsets all of community under our care. This charge, seen as a "fed" or a bureaucrat in the eyes of
us, and some citizens choose to vent their which includes protection of soils, waters, the community.
concerns in violent ways. They want air, and biota was first given to us in the
someone to blame for uncertainty and Organic Act nearly 100 years ago. It has The last two principles have to do with
disruptions in their lives. been reaffirmed in numerous legal mandates our responsibilities to our coworkers and to
So what do leaders do in times of change, over the years. The cultural resources part the Forest Service.
when tensions run high? For one thing, they means that the desired result is to do the
provide a foundation for some stability and same for cultural and heritage resources and Principle #5 is to have compassion and
then they articulate and carry out a vision the infrastructure that the American people commitment to the well being of our
for action so people can adapt and produce have invested in. coworkers. This starts first with attention to
desired results. This foundation and vision Principle #2 is to offer exceptional public safety for yourself and others. Then it
have to be accepted by most people to work. service. As public servants, our first extends to being a positive influence on the
For us in the Forest Service, they have been responsibility is to deliver the products of people you work with. These are stressful
reaffirmed recently by Chief Jack Ward our work — within the capacities of the times. Change is difficult and people need
Thomas in the Forest Service Ethic and lands we care for and our agency’s abilities. all the reassurance we can provide that they
Course to the Future. We must produce the multiple resource uses are valued and needed. Think how you
I boil all the words and intents down to and values that people need and want from would like to be treated if you were in
six basic responsibilities. The first two are the National Forest System, deliver research someone else's shoes as a tough event or a
fundamental to the mission of the Forest findings, provide technical expertise, convey big change occurs.
Service. Without them there would be no accurate, meaningful information and Principle #6 is to keep institutions of
Forest Service nor any reason for one. The provide opportunities for people to learn conservation, the National Forest System
next two are essential behaviors, if we are about resource conservation. and the Forest Service vital and relevant
to fulfill our mission effectively and to people. As members of the United States
j
efficiently. The last two address our These first two principles, producing Forest Service we have a twofold
responsibility to one another and to the results through resource conservation and responsibility: first, to ensure that the
institution we currently care for. public service, are captured in the Forest agency conducts its work in a businesslike
Principle #1 is that our fundamental job Service motto "Caring for the Land, And and efficient manner, always striving to
is resource conservation. As stewards of the Serving People." They differentiate us as an deliver what we promise we will deliver;
remarkable American asset known as the agency from all other similar institutions then, to keep the legacy of this fine
National Forest System, our first and, thereby, are the foundation principles institution vital and responsive to emerging
responsibility is to conserve the basic against which we should judge all of our
resources of the system. This includes both actions. If'we do them well the people of Continued on next page
knowledge and the changing needs and carry out these responsibilities, meet the
values of our citizenry. We are both keepers challenges that confront us, and produce the
of a legacy — the long green line of results people expect of us. The term
conservation, the Forest Service and ecosystem management is not as important
National Forest System ideals — and the as the principles it implies. So, let’s not waste
by Dee Dee Green, RO Wilderness, Recre¬
keepers of the current watch that must adapt too much time trying to precisely define it. ation & Heritage Programs, RO Combined
to keep this legacy vital. Managing ecosystems is a process. It is not Federal Campaign Chairperson
These are the basic principles that I a goal in and of itself just as ecosystems have
believe are essential to our success as Forest no inherent goals within them. Ecosystems I ne Missoula/Ravalli Counties Combined
Service leaders: Resource Conservation, just are. We the people define the goals based I Federal Campaign (CFC) for 1995 will
Public Service, Professional Excellence, on what we need and want our ecosystems JL be conducted October 2 to October 27.
Community Citizenship, Compassion for to do. What we manage ecosystems for is, Many worthy charitable organizations de¬
People and Institutional Leadership. thus, determined by human aspirations that pend on CFC funds. Last year’s campaign
range from basic needs for survival to desires raised $49,821 from the Federal employees
Now, let me close with a few thoughts on for a quality environment and life. that participated. Forest Service employees
the context of leadership. All of us will, in Taking an ecosystem approach simply and retirees were responsible for $35,645
all likelihood, live the rest of our lives in a means that we try to keep our focus on (72%) of that total. This is an accomplish¬
world of increasing numbers of people. restoring, perpetuating and enhancing the ment that we are very proud of and we are
These people may well engage in more full array of conditions, processes and hoping for another commendable effort this
conflict over access to desired resources beneficial uses of lands, waters, biota, and year. The Missoula/Ravalli Counties com¬
than we have seen to date. Regardless of resources in everything we do. Only then bined goal this year is $45,000. The Forest
the levels of conflict, they will need the can resources sustain communities and Service has established a corresponding goal
products and results of our work in economies that can provide for desired levels of $30,000. As the Regional Office Chair¬
conservation and resource management of human well being. With this kind of person, I am asking for your help and sup¬
even more than have past generations. This attitude, every thing we do contributes to the port so that we can attain this goal.
work results in clean air, clean water, diverse management of ecosystems for desired end
wildlife and fisheries, beautiful scenery, and results, whether the activity is greeting MINES Continued from page 1
safe facilities as well as productive resource guests at campgrounds, preparing a timber
North Dakota. Like hard rock mines,
uses. These come out of our science, sale for local mills, recovering an
uranium mining and oil-gas exploration in
management, and technical assistance. Yet endangered species, building a new road,
North Dakota, South Dakota and other parts
these people will also increasingly live in bridge or trail, or doing a campfire program
of the region are subject to the Federal
urban areas where it is easy to lose touch on "leave no trace" camping. Since we as a
Facility Compliance Program (FFCP).
with the resources and ecosystems that are complex society have so many different
Inventories have identified more than 1,000
their ultimate sources of well being. This needs and aspirations, no one place can serve
abandoned/inactive mine sites in the Helena
might exacerbate their tendencies toward them all simultaneously. Managing
and Deerlodge NFs. The 10 National Forests
conflict. ecosystems inherently will aim for different
in Montana may contain as many as 2,000
We, thus, have an unprecedented goals in different places. As an example,
abandoned/inactive mine sites. Most of these
opportunity, some might say even an just think of the differences between what
mines were established years ago and 10%
obligation, to engage people in a two-way we manage a designated wilderness area for
to 20% of the sites involve environmental
flow of information and understanding on and what local citizens manage the Missoula
compliance problems.
what it means to be a member of Earth’s Valley ecosystem for.
To date, the abandoned/inactive mine
ecosystems, or as Aldo Leopold would have To summarize, our job as conservation
inventory work in Montana has identified
put it, being full members and citizens of leaders is to conserve healthy and diverse
about 200 sites that will require some type
the land community. Education on the ecosystems that serve their intended
of environmental cleanup. We are now
values and methods of sustainable and purposes and uses, to be effective servants
proceeding to verify ownership of these
healthful relationships between people and of the people, to be the best resource
mine sites, establish the boundaries of the
natural resources is vital to the continued professionals we can be, to be responsible
sites, and try to locate the responsible parties.
conservation and wise use of those citizens of our communities and nation, to
resources. The National Forests and be safe and caring coworkers and to be proud
National Grasslands can be and should be keepers of the long green line that is the
used as this nation’s premier outdoor Forest Service legacy. If we perform these
classrooms for learning what it means to be roles well, the people of this nation will see
part of and interdependent with Earth’s us as conservation leaders and give us the
varied ecosystems. trust and credibility that we need to do these
Ecosystem management is the current tasks even better.
term we use for the process by which we
Elkhorn Mine Mill, Beaverhead NF.
Photo by Norman Yogerst, RO Lands 8c Minerals.
4
25 Years And Counting
Through the Years
On Stark Mountain
Lookout
With Virginia Vincent
Above: Virginia sighting through the
Osborn firefinder.
Right: Twenty-foot Stark Mountain
by Virginia H. Vincent,
BNine mile RD. Lolo NF Lookout tower.
asically, the job doesn't change. Smoke R-1 Forests. What a difference in a few years! west, a flaming patch atop the peak a mile
rises from forest and plain and the look¬ Most lookout towers are supplied with to the south and, eventually six small
out reports its location to a dispatcher propane cook stoves, refrigerators and lamps. lightning fires within a mile of Stark
with the help of an Osborn "firefinder" (sight Only a few lookouts have old-time wood Lookout. In the next 24 hours, I reported
and map). stoves to heat the living space. No flush 14 wildfires and saw more. In previous
While the job doesn’t change, there have toilets, yet, hereabouts. years, a lookout point was viable if it tallied
been other changes on the R-l lookouts in With improved communications and two fires per year. An exhausting 36 hours
the last 25 years: stronger communications; access on the National Forests, firefighting ended when my relief arrived. I went down
better road access to lookout points; changes techniques have changed, too. More and slept in my truck.
in the types of towers used; a variety of new equipment and water can be requested and The longest fire season for Stark
detection methods and management decisions made at a moment’s notice. In the Mountain Lookout was in the summer of
considerations; and more women "man" past 25 years, the biggest change I’ve 1987. 1 spent five months manning the
lookout towers. But there is still some observed has been in the use of water on all tower that summer. A multi-acre fire outside
relaying of messages over the radio. fires that can be reached by a tank truck with of Missoula, on Mothers’ Day, prompted
My post is a 20-foot tower atop 7,352- hoses. Also, helicopters provide bucket drops the opening of the lookout early. Walking
foot Stark Mountain, 7.5 miles northwest of and 75-gallon water bags! through summer snowdrifts, it took me but
Alberton, Montana. The Pattee Canyon fire, on the edge of five minutes to reach the tower from my
My experience on Stark Mountain, Missoula, really opened my eyes in the truck.
Ninemile RD, Lolo NF, goes back to 1970. summer of ’77. It was so windy. The fire After five days, a snowstorm and a
At that time, communications from the poured horizontally across the grassy hillside, temperature of 22 degrees in the cabin sent
lookout were strange. The semi-automatic followed by billowing, dark-gray smoke. The me down again. The regular fire season
radio repeater used a frequency different fire gobbled up a tree-filled gully. Eventually, started in early June and I actually lived on
from that used for regular Forest six homes were destroyed, a’ la Los Angeles. the lookout tower ‘til mid-October. I
transmissions. I heard little. My heavens! The closest large fire, 280 acres, in the returned to the peak November 1 to check
Sometimes Fd report a smoke that had summer of 1984, burned within seven air for hunter fires. It was the last day at the
already been manned half an hour earlier. miles of Stark Mountain. An experienced lookout. There had not been any wetting
To be contacted, the caller switched to lookout can tell, almost immediately, whether precipitation that autumn.
another channel and asked to have the a fire is going to get big. Such was the case The summer of 1994 was the busiest fire
repeater activated so they might reach a less- with the Madison fire near Alberton in the season for the Lolo National Forest. There
receptive area. Do you remember the 4 and summer of 1988. With strong winds, two were 413 fires on the forest that summer.
10 codes used for verbal shorthand, to make mushroom-like puffs and up the hill it went. Eighty of these fires were on the Ninemile
transmissions more concise? In some ways, the summer of 1986 brought RD. Twenty-five of them were reported
Power was provided by 45 volts of dry the most hectic fire bust. After watching from the Stark Mountain Lookout. There
cells, in a valise-like case, and, for a while, lightning storms move across to the north, I was lots of overtime, until mandatory days-
from two 100-pound wet cells. Next we had told the district fire management officer about off were put into effect. I recorded 97 hours
transistorized, two-way regular frequency 11:00 p.m. that the district had no strikes and of overtime in one, two-week pay period.
powered by 11 large flashlight batteries. The the cells over in Idaho did not appear to be The 1995 fire season was my 25th
automatic repeater was off-site. And, now, moving. summer on Stark Mountain Lookout. I
we operate with 44-channel, programmable After sleeping less than 20 minutes, I was wonder what the summer of 1996 will
radios with solarcharged batteries and a awakened by banging and crashing and radio bring.
cellular phone. The 44 channels include all traffic. There were five bright fires to the
5
R~l’$ Scenic Byways
Sixty-Seven Mile
Lake Koocanusa
Byway
by Margaret K. Lincoln,
Landscape Architect,
L Lake Koocanusa as seen from the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway. Kootenai NF, Libby, Montana
Photo by Margaret K. Lincoln.
ake Koocanusa Scenic Byway, in the recreation opportunities abound. Camping
Kootenai NF in northwestern Montana, on the lake is available at numerous
was created in 1992 to become the primitive sites, including an island and four
Northern Region’s 5th scenic byway. It major, developed campgrounds. Picnicking,
follows the Kootenai River and Lake rock climbing, hiking, lookout rental, and
Koocanusa via State Highway No. 37. Open fishing are also popular. Boating access is British Columbia
year-round, this 67-mile route connects available at four paved boat ramps. Lake Canada
Libby and Eureka. The byway also includes Koocanusa has one of the best land-locked
a side loop (Forest Development Road No. salmon fisheries in the northwest. The
228) around the west side of the lake, a more Kootenai River is considered a blue-ribbon
EUREKA
leisurely, two-lane, paved route that is closed trout stream with trophy-sized rainbow trout.
in winter. Lake Koocanusa was formed The visitor center at Libby Dam offers
behind Libby Dam which was completed in interesting displays and tours of the dam’s
1974. The lake extends 90 miles north from powerhouse where five giant turbines
the dam into British Columbia. The scenic generate electricity. Timber harvesting, both
byway highlights the southern half of the public and private, is evident along the
reservoir. To the untrained ear, Koocanusa byway. You can sometimes see harvesting
sounds much like a Kootenai Indian word. in operation, but mostly you will see older
However, it is a modern creation. When the harvest units in various stages of
dam was under construction, the Corps of regeneration. To reach the Lake Koocanusa
Engineers conducted a contest to name the Scenic Byway (State Highway 37), take
lake. A woman from Eureka, Montana, won either U.S. Highway 2 to Libby or U.S.
the contest by taking the first three letters Highway 93 to Eureka. The Kootenai
from the words Kootenai and Canada and National Forest headquarters, Libby, (506,
adding USA to create the name Koocanusa. U.S. Highway 2 West); Canoe Gulch Ranger
The landscape of this scenic byway corridor Station (12557 Highway 37) near Libby
is dominated by the Kootenai River and Dam; and the Eureka (Montana) Ranger
Lake Koocanusa. The lake cuts a narrow, Station (1299 Highway 93 North) can
fjord-like gorge between the Purcell provide you with maps and information
Mountains and the Salish Mountains. Rock about the Lake Koocanusa Scenic By\Vay.
outcrops and ledges provide habitat for
bighorn sheep, seen frequently along the
byway. Forests along the byway are home
for whitetail and mule deer, elk, moose, bear,
coyotes, eagles, ospreys, and other species
of interest to wildlife watchers. Other LIBBY
6
International
R-l1 S Fire Effects on
Ski Tourini Species, Habitats,
Chief Keynote Speaker
Snowi
>8 November 13-15,
At Mansfield
Trails
Northern Coeur d'Alene, ID
Conference,
Region
National Forests
October 15 -17 offer winter rec¬ The 1st conference on Fire Effects on
reationists about 1,060
Threatened and Endangered Species and
F
in Missoula kilometers of marked Habitats will be in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho,
ski touring trails and about
Nov. 13-15. Goal of the conference is to
3,600 miles of snowmobiling
orest Service Chief Jack Ward Thomas trails. R-1 directories provide bring together policy makers, managers of
will present a keynote address Monday names of trails, locations,difficulty public lands, and conservation groups to
night, Oct. 16, 7:30, at the Mansfield ratings, information offices and additional' promote dialogue and information sharing
Conference and Academic Symposium in trail information. Wendell Beardsley, R- about the possible interactions between fire
trail coordinator, reports that about half of
the Montana Theater at the University of and threatened and endangered species and
the ski touring trails are groomed
Montana in Missoula. habitats. The conference is sponsored by the
intermittently, while more
The theme of the three-day conference than three-fourths of the snow¬ International Association of Wildland Fire
and symposium, Oct. 15-17, is “Landscapes mobile trails are groomed by7 (IAWF), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
and Communities in Asia and the Pacific the States, clubs and Forest Service (R-6) and others. For
Northwest.” The conference is supported National Forest information about registration and program
by the Mansfield Foundation, the University volunteers. details, contact IAWF, P.O. Box 328,
of Montana Foundation, and the Burlington Fairfield, Washington 99012; telephone
Northern Foundation. The symposium is [phone].
supported by Mr. Akira Yamaguchi and the
International Ecodevelopment Institute of
Hokkaido, Japan.
Thomas will present his thoughts on
changes in forest management practices and Grand River Rd,
their effect on the landscapes and
communities of the Pacific Northwest Sportman's Club,
region.
The 1995 Mansfield Conference & SDGF&P Sponsor
Symposium will give Western Montanans l J
a chance to consider the mutual influences 3rd Fishing Derby
of landscapes on community and
community on landscapes.
Joe Moll of the Mansfield Center
by Mary J. Haase, Support Services
explained that the conference and
Specialist, Grand River RD,
symposium discussions "will enable us to
Lemmon, SD, Custer National
see more clearly how land-associated
Forest
traditions are operating, evolving and in
Range Conservationist Jeff Tomac (left) measures one of the prize¬
some cases disappearing in the face of new
S winning catches, a 13 1/4-inch rainbow trout, at the fishing derby.
demands being placed on the land. The
Photo by Mary J Haase
insights gained from the discussions will be
valuable as we seek to redefine our goals
ixty-six children participated in the 3rd first and second-place winners in four age
for sustaining and celebrating both
annual Kids Fishing Derby July 22 at groups in casting and longest fish. Local
landscapes and communities...in the process
Highway 73 Reservoir, 18 miles south businesses, in addition to various national
we may find that ‘problems of development’
of Lemmon, South Dakota. The event was sponsors, donated prizes and lunch for the
in Asia are not so foreign after all."
sponsored by the Grand River RD, Custer children. The Forest Service’s district staff
Conference and symposium sessions are
NF in cooperation with the South Dakota and spouses had as much fun putting on the
open to the public. For program details,
Game, Fish, and Parks and the Grand River Derby as the children did catching fish.
telephone the Mansfield Center at the
Sportman’s Club. Prizes were awarded to
University of Montana [phone].
7
Jacobson Memorial
Beaverhead NF
Women's Group Mineral
Point Trail
Announces
Annual
Special Place,
Scholarships
Special Man
Tby Jack de Golia, Public Affairs Officer,
Beaverhead NF.
by Teresa VanGundy,
Information Receptionist,
he Beaverhead NF Women’s Group has
Sandpoint, (Idaho) RD,
announced the award of its annual col¬
Idaho Panhandle NFs.
lege scholarships. The Women’s Group
at K. "Jake" Jacobson
operates the Children’s Christmas Store in a drawing by Loretta Jenkins
Dillon, Montana, a silent auction and other
events to provide funds to children of \ V /hen the site for the monument along the Round-Top Mountain, Lightning Creek and
Beaverhead NF employees and to children \\/Mineral Point Trail was chosen, it was the Blue Creek country, all areas where Jake
from the Dillon community. The 1995 win¬ YV as if Brent "Jake" Jacobson himself had fought fires. It is country he loved. He was
ners are: Bryan Schaeffer, son of Jim and whispered, "This is where I want it" part of this country, where he left his
Claudia Schaeffer (Jim is the Dillon Ranger The monument, on the Sandpoint RD, 15 footprints. Brent Jacobson was a positive and
District’s recreation specialist) and Kari miles southeast of Sandpoint, on Garfield dedicated man. His days were filled with
Meine, daughter of Jerry and Tammy Mein Bay, is dedicated to the memory of a man love of his work, his family and life itself.
of Dillon. known to his friends and coworkers as He was a man of the woods and it seems
"Jake". Brent had served as law enforcement fitting that Jake is memorialized along this
officer and assistant aviation-fire trail and the mountain should bear his name.
management officer for the district for 3 1/2
years.
Jefferson RS
When you look across Lake Pend Oreille
from this monument, framed between two
Shares Office Building ponderosapine trees, you’ll see a mountain.
The Forest Service recently named it "Jake’s
With USDA Agencies Mountain."
Jake, 41, was shot and killed January 12,
in Whitehall 1989, while leading a search for the Pratt
brothers who had robbed and held a family
at gun point January 11. The brothers were
Three U.S. Department of Agriculture later convicted of the murder and are serving
agencies now share an office building in life sentences in prison.
Whitehall, Montana. In memory of Jacobson, the Sandpoint RD
This summer the Jefferson RD, Deerlodge moved to have a mountain named for him.
NF, moved into a new rented office building After submitting the request with the
on whitetail Road north of 1-90 interchange background information to the National
in Whitehall, Montana. They share the office Board of Geographic Names, the naming
building with the Natural Resources was approved less than two years after
MINERAL POINT TRAIL
Conservation Service and the Consolidated Jacobson was killed. When a new Forest Constructed June 1989
Farm Service Agency. Service map is printed, the mountain will by U.S. Forest Service
The agencies moved from their old office be identified as Jake’s Mountain. Dedicated to the Memory of
Brent K. "Jake" Jacobson
building after inspectors found asbestos in The 5,000-foot mountain overlooks the
9-21-47 - 1-12-89
ceiling and floor tiles and inadequate access Clark Fork River. Jake hunted and fished in A Forest Service Officer
for the handicapped. Jefferson RD’s this area. From the top of the mountain you who gave his life in service to his community.
telephone number remains unchanged: (406) can see up and down the Clark Fork Valley, "There is no greater love than this:
287-3223. across Lake Pend Oreille and beyond to To lay down one's life for one's friends."
8
Two-Way Street
Student Program Benefits Students,
And Forest Service
By Gale Everett, RO Personnel Management
H
istorically, the employment of students
or use of student volunteers in the North¬
ern Region has played an important part
in meeting a portion of our seasonal
workforce needs. The long-standing use of
George Holt (left), senior in architec¬
students is a credit to the organization and a
ture at Prairie View (Texas) A. &M.
tribute to student workers.
University, worked this summer with
Frequently used on fire suppression, trail
Josiah Kim, in facilities management
maintenance, timber management and other & architecture in RO Engineering.
crews, students are now assisting Forest
Ron Normandeau, Supervisory Cartogra¬
Service personnel in expanded ways. As
pher, RO Engineering (right center; white
Forest Service skill needs change, we’re now
shirt) is pictured with three georgraphy
utilizing students in architecture, neo¬
majors from the University of Montana
tropical bird surveys, botany, cartography,
(left to right): Robert Batchelder; Verlita
public affairs, law enforcement, ecology, soil Sugar; Normandeau; and Royce
science, hydrology, archeology, information Simpson. Sugar and Simpson work all
systems, range science, fisheries/ wildlife year in the Engineering cartography
biology, and other specialized skill areas as shop. Batchelder worked in the
well as administrative functions. cartography shop this past summer.
From the students' perspective, these
programs offer unique opportunities to:
• earn income to support their education;
• acquire work experience (often related
to their academic major); Northern Region Budget Officer
• obtain a knowledge about the Forest procedures have been revised, allowing GalenHall (right) explains an
Service organization and its activities; greater flexibility in filling student positions, acccounting procedure to Kelvin Halton,
a student from Prairie View (Texas) A. &
• apply class room knowledge; and Regional handouts were also prepared
M. University. Halton is a junior in
• develop workplace contacts or mentors; to answer supervisory and student questions
accounting at the University.
• gain new insights as to how they might about the new programs.
structure their academic course work; Now called the Student Temporary
• demonstrate personal skills and Employment Program and the Student
potential; Career Employment Program, these
• in some cases receive college credit; programs provide significant opportunities
• or offer the opportunity for movement to supervisors and managers in meeting
into career positions. temporary or long-term organizational
This past year, in an effort to streamline needs. This past summer, approximately 150
personnel procedures, the Office of students in the Temporary Employment
Personnel Management consolidated several Program and 25 students in the Career
student programs. The change consolidated Employment Program were employed in the
13 student employment programs (Stay-In- Northern Region.
School, Cooperative Education, Federal Jr. For more information on either of these
Fellowship, Summer Aid, Summer Intern, programs, individuals should contact their
Graduate Students, etc.) into two. In servicing personnel office. Inquiries can also
Tyra Rowe, legal secretary/technology
addition, many of the old income, work be sent to the Northern Region’s Student
student, College of Technology,
schedule and other restrictions were Employment Program Coordinator in the
University of Montana - Missoula,
removed or made more flexible. Agency RO: Gale Everett [phone]). works in the Regional Forester's office.