Bearlodge Ranger District seeking public comments on Timber Stand Improvement Project

Black Hills National Forest officials are asking for public comments on the proposed Woods Timber Stand Improvement Project, located in the western Bear Lodge Mountains. The project will include thinning of certain pine stands to improve growth of remaining trees, diversify habitat and reduce fire hazard.

Pine of all sizes would be thinned. Removal of commercial timber would occur in some areas.

This project supports the goals and objectives of the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (“Forest Plan”) by reducing competition among trees, decreasing crown fire hazard and producing timber, while continuing to provide a range of forest habitats for diverse plant and animal species.

Thinning would occur in pine stands that are densely stocked with fairly evenly spaced, mature trees over 9” in diameter, smaller trees or both. Other areas of dense forest would be retained for wildlife habitat, to protect sensitive resources and where topography prevents safe operations. Approximately 3180 acres total would be thinned.

Proposed removal of commercial material from approximately 86 acres of Forest Service lands adjacent to the National Forest boundary would require crossing privately owned lands. These areas are proposed for harvest via Good Neighbor Authority agreements with the State of Wyoming, as authorized by the 2018 USDA Farm Bill (Public Law 115-334).

Please submit any comments by December 22, 2021, at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61076 or via U.S. mail: Woods Project, U.S. Forest Service, PO Box 680, Sundance, WY 82729.

For further information, contact Mike Gosse, Bearlodge District Ranger, or Elizabeth Krueger, Bearlodge Ranger District resource planner, at 283-1361.

For more information on the Black Hills National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills.