
Panhandle Forest Collaborative
VISION
By assisting the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and other agencies in bringing a balanced approaches to timber, wild ecosystems and recreation, the Panhandle Forest Collaborative (PFC) helps to contribute to sustainable social, environmental and economic viability within the region.
PANHANDLE FOREST COLLABORATIVE'S APPROACH
The Panhandle Forest Collaborative focuses on issues on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, primarily within the Sandpoint, Priest Lake and portions of the Coeur d’Alene Ranger Districts, with the goals of reducing litigation, promoting sustainable operations, enhancing travel and recreation opportunities, maintaining infrastructure for timber, ranching and recreation, and conserving native ecosystems.
By building communication and connectivity between on-going local community efforts and the county, state and federal agencies, the PFC works as a group to provide consensus recommendations on projects and forest plans which address the collaborative's shared goals.
MEET THE COLLABORATIVE
- Chris Bachman, Conservation Representative
- Jeff Bynum, Conservation Representative
- Jeff Connolly, County Representative
- John Dabrowski, Recreation Representative
- Kurt Dyroff, Conservation Representative
- John Finney, Motorized Recreation Representative
- Mike Gaertner, Non-motorized Recreation Representative
- Alan Harper, Timber Representative
- Phil Hough, Community Non-profit Representative
- Travis Icardo, Hunting Representative
- Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, Community Non-profit Representative
- Eric Nave, Timber Representative
- Mike Petersen, Conservation Representative
- Peg Polichio, State Representative
- Brad Smith, Conservation Representative
- Laura Wolf, State Agency Representative
Meetings and Documents
The PFC meets on the third Wednesday of every other month. During the COVID pandemic meetings will be held virtually. Contact the PFC's facilitator (below) to receive updates and meeting agendas.
Panhandle Forest Collaborative Protocols (Updated January 2018)
2021
- January 20, 2021 Meeting Record
- March 17. 2021 Meeting Record [pending]
Current Projects
US Forest Service's Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. General planning information for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest can be found here.
PFC Project Documents
Auxor Basin
PFC letter of support for the Auxor Basin Project
Bog Creek
Bottom Canyon
- Bottom Canyon Alternative, April 9, 2014
- PFC Letter Regarding Bottom Canyon, September 19, 2014
- Bottom Canyon Scoping Letter, November 7, 2014
- Bottom Canyon PFC Draft Alternative Map
Buckskin Saddle
- PFC comments on the Environmental Analysis
- USFS Buckskin Saddle Integrated Restoration Project
- Buckskin Saddle Boundary Visitor Map with Roadless
- Buckskin Map with Roadless Areas and Opportunities
- Buckskin Cpz Map
- Buckskin Cpz Map with Units
Chloride Gold
Hanna Flats
Honey Badger
Hughes Creek
Kaniksu Community Project
Kaniksu Winter Travel Plan
USFS Kaniksu Over-snow Vehicle Travel Plan
Potter's Wheel
Scattered Schoolhouse

News and Press
Hughes Aquatic Restoration Project
OtHER COLLABORATIVE GROUPS AND RESOURCES IN THE AREA:
Idaho Forest Restoration Partnership
Kootenai Valley Restoration Initiative
For more info about the PFC or to join the mailing list, please contact
Ben Irey, Conservation Connect Program Manager, National Forest Foundation - birey@nationalforests.org