Tools

Forest Service calls off West Yellowstone project

By The Associated Press

Story Created: Nov 4, 2009 at 3:04 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 4, 2009 at 3:04 PM MST

WEST YELLOWSTONE - The U.S. Forest Service has called off a logging and prescribed burning project near West Yellowstone to further analyze its effects on Yellowstone grizzly bears.

The Lonesome Wood project, about 12 miles northwest of town targeted about 3,100 acres for prescribed burns and tree thinning. The project was intended to reduce the risk of large-scale wildfires in the area.

A federal judge in Missoula in September struck down a 2007 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision that had removed federal protections for the grizzly. The ruling restored the species' protected status under the Endangered Species Act.

Gallatin National Forest officials say, in light of that decision, they'll re-evaluate the Lonesome Wood project to make sure it complies with the Endangered Species Act.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls & Helena Weather

Icon
Great Falls Great Falls Intl Airport, MT
Current Temp 32.0 °F
Fair
Wind : South at 11.5 MPH (10 KT)
Pressure : 1033.0 mb
Humidity : 61 %
Icon
Helena Helena Regional, MT
Current Temp 25.0 °F
Fair
Wind : Calm
Pressure : 1035.1 mb
Humidity : 78 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video