Date: September 12, 2008
Contact: Norma Sosa, 406 888-7895
Contact: Dawn LaFleur, 406 888-7864
Contact: Mary Riddle, 406 888-7898

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Officials at Glacier National Park announce that the Hazard Tree Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) is available for public review and comment.

Hazard trees are those that, due to disease or structural failure, are at imminent risk of falling and striking structures or parked vehicles or of falling in areas where people are encouraged to congregate or where property might be located. While most hazard tree work takes place in developed areas, some structures and designated campgrounds in the backcountry require protection from damage caused by hazard trees.

The 1994 plan, which will be replaced by this proposal, identified management zones in the Park that are no longer valid, and hazard tree treatments in the backcountry were not addressed. The preferred alternative would implement a new plan that would be consistent with the management zones identified in the 1999 General Management Plan, provide guidance for monitoring and surveying, identify ways to mitigate hazard trees, and provide guidance on hazard tree treatments in the backcountry, while also considering other natural and cultural resources.

This EA will be on public review for 30 days. Please provide comments by October 17, 2008.

Comments can be provided directly through the Park’s planning website: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkId=61 by selecting this project.

Or they can be sent by mail to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Hazard Tree EA, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, Montana 59936.

The EA is also available online at the above website.

- NPS –