BLM seeks public input on Little Rockies Forest Health Project

Bureau of Land Management planners invite public input as they develop plans for multiple fuels treatments and forest health projects to occur within a large area of the Little Rocky Mountains outside of the communities of Zortman and Landusky.

The Little Rockies Forest Health Project is part of the BLM’s ongoing commitment to keep public lands healthy and accessible by improving forest conditions and minimizing the threat of catastrophic wildfire.

A public open house meeting to initiate public scoping for this project is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the BLM’s Little Rockies Fire Station, located at 7265 Bear Gulch Road in Zortman, Montana. The public scoping period is open April 18 through May 2.

The project actions being considered focus on creating fuel breaks to reduce the extent of fires and reducing fuel loading to minimize fire intensity. They also target Wildland Urban Interface projects to better protect structures and private lands from wildland fires. Forest health would be improved by treating aspen stands and natural openings for conifer encroachment and implementing stand density reduction treatments in mature stands. Proposed actions of the project may include:

• Shaded fuel break around communities of Zortman and Landusky, and Whitcom Cabin.

• Creating a fuel break along Beaver Pond Road and Landusky Plateau.

• Maintaining previous fuels treatments: Old Burn RX (2010), Chimney Gulch (2009), Hog Gulch (2009), Dry Gulch (2009) and Silver Peak 1& 2 (2009).

• Reducing conifer encroachment in aspen stands to reduce species competition and restore aspen dominance in specific areas.

• Reducing conifer encroachment in natural openings to restore species diversity and maintain bighorn sheep forage production and use.

• Providing wood products to be used by local communities through green firewood sales. In addition, traditional timber sales and stewardship contracts may be used to facilitate the commercial removal of forest products.

• Removing hazard trees (i.e., dead trees, trees with substantial defects, or dying trees) near roads, trails, campgrounds and other infrastructure.

A description of the proposed project and related maps are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2027358/510 .

BLM staff encourage the public to submit comments that help refine the proposed action, provide new information about resources in the area or may lead to additional mitigation measures.

Comments may be submitted using the following methods:

Electronic (preferred): BLM e-Planning — https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2027358/510 — click on the green “Participate Now” button.

Comment cards will be available at the April 18 open house and can be submitted in person or mailed.

U.S. Postal Service:

BLM-Malta Field Office

ATTN: Little Rockies Forest Health EA

501 S. 2nd Ave. Street E.

Malta, MT 59538