In its appeal, the Alliance for the Wild Rockies objects to the logging of 477 acres in the Silver King, Welcome Creek and Quigg Peak roadless areas, a process the group believes would kill westslope cutthroat trout and threaten bull trout by greatly increasing the sediment in Rock Creek.
Considered a blue-ribbon fishery, Rock Creek also could be polluted with toxic herbicides when weeds are killed in the logged areas, said Michael Garrity, the alliance's executive director.
In the decision to log and thin some of the lower Rock Creek drainage, Missoula District Ranger Don Carroll said the area is at great risk of stand-replacing wildfires - and that cutting trees will help to lessen that danger.
Under Carroll's plan, about 1,100 acres will be thinned using a traditional timber harvest; another 300 acres of non-commercial brush and small trees also will be cleared.
The environmentalists' appeal objects to all but the 300 acres of brush clearing.
In a recent interview, Carroll said the work will proceed slowly and will be adapted if Rock Creek residents feel the cutting is too severe.
"People have been very supportive of this work, but the one thing they've asked is for us to go slow," he said. "That message came through loud and clear."
"We've had a lot of success in Rock Creek at keeping fires small," he said, "but we want to give ourselves an edge around some of these important areas, so we can protect the values that give Rock Creek its look and feel."
The Forest Service will now consider the environmental group's appeal, discuss their objections and issue a decision. The group could still challenge the plan in court.
Reporter Sherry Devlin can be reached at 523-5268 or at sdevlin@missoulian.com
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