Comment period extended for Shoshone forest plan
The public comment period for the Shoshone National Forest management plan has been extended to Nov. 26. The Shoshone National Forest staff is in process of revising its forest management plan which will guide all forest use from energy development to recreation for the next 20 years.
The Forest granted the request for the extension after local officials asked for a 60-day extension, Kristi Salzmann, public affairs officer for the forest wrote in an email. The regional forest and the Governor’s office arrived at the Nov. 26 deadline, she said. The forest has not yet counted comments, but Salzmann did say they’ve already received several thousand.
The forest service has planned one more public event for people to learn more about the proposed plan, specifically dealing with motorized use on the forest.
A pubic field trip departs at 10 a.m., Oct. 17, from the Forest Service office at 1403 W. Ramshorn in Dubois. The trip will focus on management issues created by motorized recreation on the southern end of the forest and current and future opportunities for motorized recreation on the forest. The trip will include some of the district’s roads most often used by ATVs and snowmobiles. Those attending should bring a four-wheel drive vehicle and pack a lunch. The trip will finish between 2 and 3 p.m. at the district office.