The U.S. Forest Service’s Sulphur Ranger District is seeking public input on the proposed Strawberry Bench Vegetation Management Project in Grand County, Colo. Several open houses are scheduled this month and comments can also be accepted by email or mail.

Located about 7 miles southeast of the town of Granby just east of the BLM mountain biking area known as “The Phases, the project is in an area on the Arapaho National Forest that has been heavily impacted by the mountain pine beetle epidemic, resulting in high levels of forest mortality. See a map of proposed project area.

The main purposes of the project are to regenerate areas forested areas that experienced high mortality; salvage dead and dying timber before it loses its marketable value; and reduce hazardous fuels buildup near private property and other resource values. The project is designed to promote healthy forest conditions that are resilient to the effects of wildfire.

Public comments would be most helpful by August 9, 2019. Members of the public who are interested in exploring ideas about the project should attend the open house meeting from 5-7 p.m. July 9, 2019, at the Sulphur Ranger District Office, 9 Ten Mile Drive, Granby; or from 5-7 p.m. July 18, 2019, at the East Grand Fire Station, 77601 US Hwy 40, Winter Park.

More information about this project is available at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/strawberrybench.

For additional information or to email comments, contact Tom Lowell, Interdisciplinary Team Lead/Silviculturist, at tom.lowell@usda.gov or (503) 367-0606.

Feedback also can be mailed or hand delivered to – U.S. Forest Service, attn.: Seth Jennings, 9 Ten Mile Drive, Granby, CO 80446.