Travel Management plan comment period extended

The comment period for the Ten Lakes Travel Management Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Fortine Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest has been extended for an additional 15 days. Comments must now be received by Feb. 14, 2017.

The purpose of this project is to develop a travel management plan (over-snow and mechanized) for the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area to comply with the terms of the 2007 Settlement Agreement with the Montana Wilderness Association and to maintain wilderness character and the potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation system that existed in 1977 (MA1c-DC-AR-01). This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the 2015 Forest Plan, and helps move the project area towards desired conditions described in that plan.

Proposed activities include designation of oversnow motorized use areas and mechanized trail management. Four different alternatives for varying route and area travel options are analyzed in the DEIS.

Instructions for commenting are available online at: fs.usda.gov/detail/kootenai/landmanagement/projects under Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Cover Letter.

For more information, contact the Eureka Ranger Station at 406-296-2536 or drop by the Ranger Station office in Eureka, Montana between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.