JACKSON, Wyo. — The 45-day window for public comment on Bridger-Teton National Forest’s (BTNF) draft assessment will close at the end of day, Sunday, Aug. 24.
The current BTNF forest plan is more than 30 years old, and this draft assessment is one of the first steps in the forest plan revision process. The 70-page draft assessment is accompanied by a 566-page supplemental assessment information document and a list of potential species of conservation concern.
BTNF writes on its website, “It is important that the land management plan is up to date with new regulations and policies; current ecological, social, and economic conditions; and recent scientific information relevant to the management of resources and uses on public lands.”
Executive Director of Advocates for Multi-Use of Public Lands (AMPL) Will Mook told Buckrail the draft is an evaluation of how the last 35 years have gone and what the state of the forest is today. Uses and projected uses on the land have changed over time, and the forest plan includes “everything from grazing to timber to recreation to every facet on the national forest.”
AMPL is a recreation organization that regularly partners with BTNF on trail maintenance, and Mook felt it important to have an educated perspective and understanding of the forest planning process. He said the organization is working hard to ensure that diverse groups of people and recreationists, as well as future generations, have continued access to public lands.
“We fully believe in protecting our natural environment and having healthy ecosystems,” Mook said. “What I believe is that when people are out engaging with their public lands, they inherently become stewards.”
Scott Kosiba is the executive director of Friends of Bridger-Teton (FBT), a supporting organization for BTNF. Kosiba told Buckrail that FBT is not taking any active commenting or policy positions on the draft itself. FBT’s current role is supporting public awareness and outreach. According to Kosiba, 38 people attended the BTNF mini open house in Bondurant on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
“The Forest Service absolutely took a big hit on staffing this year,” Kosiba said. “But the forest plan revision has remained a No. 1 priority for the forest, and it has been an all hands on deck effort.”
Kosiba noted that a missing map from the supplemental documents — which was raised in a letter from the Teton County Commissioners to BTNF — was not an oversight or factual omission. He said the map was very pixelated and difficult to read. It has since been updated and included.
“In these intervening two days, I would encourage the public to make sure that their voice is heard,” Kosiba said. “These are our public lands, and we all are stakeholders in our public lands. The forest does want to make sure that your voice is heard.”
