Libby, MT: Is Libby, Montana truly considered non-timber dependent in this documents planning?
A discussion of how resource-dependent communities were determined can be found in Chapter 2 of the Draft EISs (UCRB page 2-192, Eastside page 2-197). Determining resource dependency generally relates to two factors: (1) the size of the community, and (2) the percent of employment associated with timber harvest and processing. In 1987, the Forest Service identified communities thought to be dependent on National Forest System timber, as required by the National Forest Management Act of 1976. ICBEMP economists refined the original criteria and the original list of communities, in the Scientific Assessment. They further identified 29 “isolated timber-dependent communities” thought most dependent on Forest Service System timber sales. Regarding corrections to the economic analysis, we will be expanding the amount of information on local-level social and economic conditions to ensure that land management decisions are based on the best information available. These areas have been identifie
