NEW PROJECT PLANNED TO IMPROVE
FOREST HEALTH
SUNDANCE, WY: OCTOBER 28, 2008
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to reduce fuels, regenerate
pine stands, thin the forest, expand meadows and improve aspen groves,
and protect watersheds to ensure a continuing supply of clean water.
The Rattlesnake Project Area is located on Bearlodge Ranger District
in the Black Hills National Forest.
Ranger Steve Kozel said the purpose of these actions is to provide
biologically diverse ecosystems, protect basic resources, and provide
for sustained commodity uses like timber production and forage for
wildlife and livestock by reducing crown fire hazard and wildfire
threats to private property, reducing risk of mountain pine beetle
infestations, creating conditions for future timber production,
conserving and enhancing big game winter range, enhancing forest
structural diversity, and conserving and enhancing older forests.
Details are available on request or at the Black Hills National
Forest web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/projects/nepa/.
.
The Forest Service mission is to manage the National Forests for
a variety of uses and benefits while ensuring productivity of the
land and protecting environmental quality. The Rattlesnake area
provides uses and benefits such as water, forage, recreation, wildlife,
and wood.
Alternatives to the proposed action will be developed based on
public input. The Forest Service will analyze the proposal’s
effects on the environment during the winter of 2008-09. A draft
Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to be issued in the
spring of 2009 with a final decision by summer. Activities could
begin in 2010.
The Forest Service invites public review of the proposed action.
Comments will help develop practical alternatives and conduct appropriate
analysis. Written comments should be addressed to Rattlesnake Project,
c/o Content Analysis Group, 172 E. 500 S., Bountiful, UT 84010.
Fax: (801) 397-1605.
E-mail comments may be sent to bhnf@contentanalysisgroup.com.
Please indicate “Rattlesnake Project” in the subject
line.
Comments may be hand-delivered to the Bearlodge Ranger District
office, 101 South 21st Street, Sundance, Wyoming, between the hours
of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal
holidays.
Comments are requested by December 3, 2008.
An open house regarding the project is scheduled to take place
November 13, 2008, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Bearlodge Ranger District
office in Sundance.
To find out more or to be placed on a mailing list for the draft
Environmental Impact Statement, contact District Ranger Steve Kozel
or resource planner Elizabeth Krueger at the Bearlodge Ranger District,
(307) 283-1361.
The Rattlesnake Project documents are posted on the internet at
www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills.
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