Comments sought for fuel reduction project

The Black Hills National Forest is proposing to reduce fire hazard on seven isolated parcels of National Forest System (NFS) lands adjacent to the Bear Lodge Mountains in Crook County.

High fuel loading on these lands poses a risk to surrounding lands and communities.

The proposed project area consists of 403 acres accessible only from non-NFS lands at the north end of the Bear Lodge Mountains and adjacent isolated parcels.

There is no legal public or Forest Service access to these parcels. For this reason, the project would be implemented primarily via Good Neighbor Authority agreements with the State of Wyoming, as authorized by Title VIII of the 2018 USDA Farm Bill (Public Law 115–334).

These lands include approximately 322 acres of ponderosa pine forest with the remainder consisting of grasslands and bur oak. Pine forest varies from dense, mature stands to open-canopy woodlands with oak or grass understory.

Adjacent communities include the town of Alva plus numerous scattered ranches and residences. Approximately 62 residences and other developments lie within 1.5 miles of the Forest Service parcels. Parcel boundaries form 8.5 miles of interface with non-Forest Service lands.

The Forest Service is proposing to thin up to 238 acres of National Forest pine stands that are densely to moderately stocked with trees at least six inches in diameter. Retained trees would be those with fire-resistant characteristics, such as larger trunk diameter and lack of low branches.

After thinning, stands would be moderately open with an average of 25 feet between trees. Greater spacing may result where stands are currently less dense.

Removal and sale of merchantable material would occur. Thinning of trees less than six inches in diameter would occur where dense patches exist. Non-merchantable cut material would be scattered, chipped, piled, and burned, or otherwise mitigated to reduce fire hazard. Seeding of disturbed ground and suppression of noxious weeds would occur as needed.

Activities of this type, designed to reduce or redistribute ground, surface and canopy fuels, have been shown to slow the spread of fire and reduce the intensity and severity of wildfire under all but the most extreme weather conditions.

Proposed activities will comply with Forest Plan restrictions as well as requirements of applicable laws and regulations, such as consultation with State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters’ names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time, but are requested by March 6, 2024. Comments can be made using the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63381 or through the U.S. Mail: Northwest Project, Bearlodge Ranger District, P.O. Box 680 / 101 S. 21st St. Sundance, WY 82729.

For questions on the proposed project, please contact Patrick Champa, Bearlodge District Ranger, or Elizabeth Krueger, Bearlodge Ranger District resource planner, at (307) 283-1361, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., mountain daylight time.

Detailed maps can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63381.