STRATTON — The U.S. Forest Service will host a public meeting for anyone interested to learn about the proposed Somerset Integrated Resource Project located in the Green Mountain National Forest, Manchester Ranger District.
The meeting is scheduled for May 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Stratton Mountain Resort. The project area includes just over 71,000 acres, primarily within the towns of Dover, Glastenbury, Searsburg, Somerset, Stratton, Wilmington, and Woodford, but also includes small portions of Sunderland and Wardsboro.
Named after Somerset Reservoir, which is located in the center of the project area, the proposed project currently consists only of general management ideas based on resource inventory collected during the past year.
In a news release, the Forest Service said it is interested in hearing from the public to help identify specific land-management activities to implement on National Forest lands such as timber harvesting, enhancement of wildlife habitat, soil and stream restoration, and improvements to roads and trails.
Further development of activities will occur throughout the summer, culminating in the initiation of a final proposed action and environmental analysis in the fall. Actual implementation would occur in 2020 over a five- to seven-year period pending the completion of an environmental assessment.
Although the primary focus of the project is on National Forest, just over 40 percent of the project area includes non-federal lands. Forest Service staff is interested in working with willing private landowners to consider possible management activities on their land that could achieve common goals across ownership boundaries.
Staff from other federal and state agencies, and non-government organizations will attend to provide information regarding opportunities to manage private lands.
District Ranger David Francomb will begin the meeting with a brief introduction to the project, followed by an opportunity for the public to visit with Forest Service staff representing various resources. Maps and information will be available for review at designated resource tables.
“We are looking forward to working with members of the community to help us manage multiple resources on the National Forest in the best way possible” Francomb said.