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Assisting collaboration in forest and grassland restoration, conservation and resource utilization—
for the benefit of all.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge Working Group

Purpose Statement

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge Working Group (BDWG) is a citizen-based committee of people who represent key interests, geographic balance, and knowledge of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Members represent timber, country commissioners, agriculture/ranching, quiet and motorized recreation, conservation, hunting and fishing, outfitters and guides, and citizen interests.

An initial organizing committee began meeting in May 2011 to develop the concept and structure of the group, and to identify key people and interests to invite to the collaborative table. The full BDWG began meeting in October 2011 and has met almost monthly since its start.

Vision

The BDWG works to develop common understanding among diverse stakeholders and serves as a bridge to broader constituencies on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (BDNF). Working Group members hope to provide a way to resolve forest-level issues in a positive manner before they get to the appeal stage, resulting in more restoration work being done on the ground and in a way that achieves ecological objectives as well as community benefits.

There is currently no other forest-wide collaborative group on the BDNF, and the Forest Service has welcomed and supported the BDWG as a way to engage more deeply with the various interests involved in the Forest. The purpose of the BDWG is to develop agreement around priority areas and approaches for project work on the BDNF and to help facilitate completion of those projects at the local level.

Our overall objectives Include:

  • Develop common understanding among diverse stakeholders and serving as a bridge to broader constituencies
  • Reach agreements that will lead to more efficient and effective restoration project work being achieved at the watershed level
  • Increase the understanding of Forest Service processes and approaches
  • Offer and support innovations in forest management
  • Identifying management efficiencies and priority projects
  • Foster broader public support and ownership of proposed Forest Service actions

Meet the Working Group

Karen Laitala klaitala@powellcountymt.gov
Leonard Wortman leonard@wortmanfence.com
Rick Sandru sandruranch@gmail.com
Sean Steinebach sean.steinebach@sunmtnlumber.com    Chair
Chris Marchion cmarchion@outlook.com
Bo   Walker robert.walker5@montana.edu Facilitator
Dan   Allhands dallhands@madisoncountymt.gov
Dan   Sager dsager@powellcountymt.gov
Jim   Keenan jkeenan@bsb.mt.gov
Joe   Kambic jkambic@mt.gov
Maureen   Connor fatponyfarm@gmail.com
Steve   Kimball Stephen.Kimball@mt.gov
Vaia   Errett vaia.erret@gmail.com

 Meetings and Documents

The BDWG meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM at the Butte Archives in Butte, MT unless stated otherwise.

BDWG Protocols (Updated June 2018)

BDWG Capacity Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)

BDWG Partnership Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)

BDWG Communications Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)

BDWG Recreation Committee Action Plan (Updated July 2021)

2019

2018

2014