Logging, prescribed fire proposed for Wyo. forest project
Logging,prescribed fire proposed for Wyo. forest project
28 February 2008
published by www.rapidcityjournal.com
USA — Logging and prescribed burns would reduce hazardous fuels and the riskof mountain pine beetle infestation over a 19,369 acre area in the Bear LodgeMountains north of Sundance, Wyo., under a U.S. Forest Service proposal.
Foresters propose to reduce fire hazard and the risk of mountain pine beetleinfestation through a combination of commercial logging (3,256 acres) andprescribed burning (4,808 acres)in the Snyder project area.
The Forest Service also proposes to close 10,897 acres to off-road motorized useand to take other measures, including treating noxious weeds, according to theBlack Hills National Forest Web site.
The proposal would produce a sustainable supply of timber, diversify foreststructure, improve wildlife habitat and manage motorized use, according to aForest Service news release.
A draft environmental assessment describes the proposed action, threealternatives to the proposed action and the effects of these actions.
After considering public comments on the draft environmental assessment,Bearlodge District Ranger Steven Kozel will decide which course of action totake, according to the news release.
Work on the project is scheduled to begin in 2010.
For more information about the project or to obtain a copy of the EnvironmentalAssessment (hard copy or on CD), call Elizabeth Krueger at the Bearlodge RangerDistrict, at 1-307-283-1361.
The environmental assessment is also available at www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/projects/nepa/and from the Black Hills National Forest supervisors office in Custer,673-9200.
