BLM Accepting Comments on a Proposal to Treat Bark Beetle
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CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office is seeking public comments on an environmental assessment for a forestry project to treat bark beetle infested areas in Fremont County.
“The purpose of the project is to reduce the threat to public safety and infrastructure posed by beetle-killed trees in travel corridors and other high-risk areas, provide for resilient forests and diverse wildlife habitats,” said Field Manager, Keith Berger. “The project will also help us reduce the risk of severe wildfires and subsequent erosion and watershed damage.”
The Northwest Fremont Bark Beetle Salvage project would take place on approximately 2,900 acres in northwestern Fremont County near Stoney Face, Waugh, and Jack Hall mountains. The environmental assessment analyzes three alternatives in detail that span from the effect of taking no action to salvaging dead and dying spruce trees to additional removal of green spruce at risk of beetle infestation. Activities under consideration include commercial timber harvest, non-commercial timber management and prescribed fire.
The preliminary environmental assessment and maps of the project area are posted on the BLM’s website atwww.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning/rgfo_bark_beetle_project.html. Comments on the project can be sent to the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office, Attn: Ken Reed, 3028 East Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212, or email: rgfo_comments@blm.gov with "Spruce Beetle EA" in the subject line. Your comments will be most helpful if received by Aug. 31, 2015.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.