JACKSON, Wyo. — As a first step in its forest planning process, the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) released its “State of the Forest” Draft Assessment for public review on Friday, July 11. BTNF encourages Wyomingites to submit their comments on the draft until Sunday, Aug. 24.
The Friends of the Bridger-Teton (FBT) wrote via Facebook that the assessment shares information on fire mitigation, current ecological, social and economic conditions, recreation, Tribal connection, water quality, wildlife species and more.
“The Assessment is not a decision document, but it does inform what we need to focus on to update direction of the BTNF Plan,” FBT wrote.
According to the BTNF, its Forest Plan will address the changing needs of national forests, and the steps needed to assess at-risk species, including those that are federally listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, as well as animals currently listed as Species of Conservation Concern (SCC). The Draft Assessment defines SCC as a native species not currently under ESA protection but facing potential threats to their “long-term persistence in the area.”
Potential fish considered as a SCC include the Colorado River cutthroat trout, flannelmouth sucker, northern leatherside chub, roundtail chub and the Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout. Animals evaluated in the Draft Assessment as a potential SCC include the black rosy finch, Columbia spotted frog, Gillett’s checkerspot, greater sage-grouse, western (boreal) toad and the western bumble bee. A variety of plants are also being considered as species of concern.
The BTNF will hold public meetings this summer in Jackson, Pinedale and Afton to discuss the Draft Assessment. The BTNF is also working with community members to plan more engagement events in July and August. Stay tuned for dates and locations.
