South Plateau Landscape Treatment Project Draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: March 16, 2023

West Yellowstone, MT, March 16, 2023 – The USDA Forest Service has prepared a final environmental assessment and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact for the South Plateau Landscape Area Treatment Project.

The South Plateau Landscape Area Treatment Project consists of forest resilience treatments designed to meet the need to increase landscape resilience to insects and disease, treat hazardous fuels, and contribute to a sustained yield of timber products. The project also includes access changes on Forest System Roads designed to improve water quality and riparian zone integrity and improve the condition of grizzly bear secure habitat in deficient Bear Management Subunits. The proposed action is to be located on the Hebgen Lake Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The project area consists of 39,909 acres located south and west of the town of West Yellowstone in Gallatin County, Montana. The project area extends from US Highway 20 on the north end, to the Montana-Idaho border on the west and south and the Yellowstone National Park boundary on the east.

Learn more about the project by visiting the project webpage <https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57353> where the final environmental assessment, draft decision documents and other supporting information are available.

The publication of the legal notice in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, expected on March 15, opens the 45 day objection filing period. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunities for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.

Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=57353, with “SPLAT Project Objection” in the subject line.

Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Reviewing Officer, Northern Regional Office, Attn: SPLAT, 26 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804.

Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Reviewing Officer, Mary Erickson, Northern Regional Office, 26 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery.

A final decision on the project will not be made until after the objection process has been completed. Implementation is anticipated to begin during fall of this year. For more information concerning the South Plateau Landscape Area Treatment Project, contact the Hebgen Lake Ranger Station (406.823.6961) during normal business hours, or email the Interdisciplinary Team Leader at amanda.williams3@usda.gov.

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