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Date:  December 20, 2007 Contact: Marilyn Krause (406) 533-7617    BLM Proposes Pine Beetle Project South Of Anaconda The Bureau of Land Management is starting the environmental analysis (EA) for a proposed mountain pine beetle treatment area located between the old Deep Creek Ski Area and the Lower Seymour Lake Road. The project area is about 19 miles south of Anaconda and 13 miles northwest of Wise River in Deer Lodge County. “Mountain pine beetles are currently at epidemic levels in the area,” stated BLM forester Mike Small. “Our intent is to remove dead and dying lodgepole pine to reduce the insect populations in these stands and the amount of hazardous trees.” In addition, the project proposal consists of commercial thinning of susceptible pine stands, which amounts to about 350 acres of BLM administered lands. BLM also plans to treat another 120 acres with installation of repellant pheromone packs on steeper terrain that could not be mechanically thinned. To accomplish the project, less than two miles of temporary road would be built on public land. If you need more information or a map, or have questions or concerns, please contact Mike Small by January 18, 2008 at the BLM Butte Field Office; phone 533-7600.   -30-