Final decision released for Bonanza Project in Castle Mountains
Project to supply wood products and restore forests
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Mont., June 26, 2025 — The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has released a final decision for the Bonanza Project, located in the Castle Mountains just east of White Sulphur Springs. Primary management activities planned include timber harvest and prescribed fire.
“The project area is highly impacted by the mountain pine beetle and some areas have experienced 90% tree mortality,” said District Ranger Jason Oltrogge. “The timber generated from this project will provide wood products to local companies and prescribed fire will restore forests and reduce wildfire severity.”
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest partnered with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to plan this project, and the joint effort made this project a reality. The Bonanza Project area is contained within 36,928 acres in Meagher County and includes National Forest System lands within the Checkerboard Creek, Flagstaff Creek, Middle North Fork Musselshell River, Alabaugh Creek, Muddy Creek, and Fourmile Creek subwatersheds. The project includes commercial timber harvest on 1,980 acres and prescribed burning on 918 acres.
Project implementation is anticipated to start later this summer.
Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/projects/66532 to learn more about the Bonanza Project or call the Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District at 406-547-3361.
Map showing proposed action for the Bonanza Project. The project area covers 36,928 acres in Meagher County. Visit project link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/projects/66532 for full-sized map.
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