Public comments on Fuels Reduction Project on East Rim open until Jan. 6
Posted
From John Carter, Bondurant, Wyo.
Dear Editor,
I am attaching the scoping letter and scoping notice (with map) describing a 3,000 acre "Fuels Reduction Project" on the East Rim near Rim Station. The Forest Service released this during Christmas with a quick turnaround for public comments, being due January 6.
This area is a very important wildlife area. It is in a Canada lynx migration path, grizzly bear habitat (there was a family of four here this summer), a breeding population of Great Gray Owls and Elk crucial and parturition areas. plus moose and other wildlife.
Ostensibly this is a Wildland Urban Interface project to reduce wildfire risk. However, the science is clear that these projects have only about a 10% or less chance of being in the path of a wildfire. Furthermore, they won't stop a fire driven by wind, temperatures and dry conditions.
In this case, the Forest Service does not intend to analyze this project, just to proceed by summer. This is not respectful to the people of Sublette County, who treasure their wildlife.
As we remember from the Monument Ridge project, our valley was filled with smoke as they burned the Forest which did not even lie close to Bondurant.
The public can comment and request the Forest Service to prepare a full environmental analysis due to our concerns over wildlife and the need for the public to be fully apprised of the actual risks and outcomes of such projects.
