Yellowstone National Park is soliciting comments regarding three proposed hazardous fuels reduction projects at the West Entrance, Canyon Village, and South Entrance frontcountry areas. The projects would remove brush and other vegetation that pose a fire hazard and would thin the forest so that the edges of all remaining tree crowns would be generally 20 feet apart. This proposed action would minimize the likelihood of a crown fire and increase firefighters' ability to protect human life and property within the Wildland-Urban Interface of these developed areas should a wildland fire occur.

Mechanical reduction techniques may include the use of horses, helicopters, and log skidding by private contractors, Montana Conservation Corp employees, and park staff. A total of 112.7 acres would be treated-12.8 acres at the West Entrance, 92.1 acres at Canyon Village, and 7.8 acres at the South Entrance.

Field surveys to assess impacts to rare plants, wetlands, archeological sites, and other cultural resources will be conducted in May and June of 2004. Required consultations under the Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act will also be completed. The park will prepare a categorical exclusion for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act if there are no moderate or major adverse impacts to park resources. Categorical exclusion guidelines for hazardous fuels reduction projects were issued jointly by the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture in June of 2003. Project implementation would begin in August and September of 2004.

Written comments should be received no later than June 11, 2004, and mailed to:

Superintendent
Wildland-Urban Interface Fuels Reduction
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190

Information provided by the NPS