Lima Green Project field trip Monday

The Forest Service is currently accepting public comments on a proposal for forest vegetation management in the mid Gunflint Trail area.  The Lima Green Project area encompasses nearly 49,000 acres between Lima Mountain and Greenwood Lake.  Of that acreage, about 5, 500 acres are proposed for primary treatment, including a seven mile stretch along the Gunflint Trail corridor.

The purpose of the Lima Green Project, according to the Forest Service, is to enhance moose habitat, restore red & white pine, enhance the scenic quality along the Gunflint Trail, improve forest conditions through vegetation management, harvests and planting, and provide timber products for the local economy.  Proposed activities include harvesting (intermediate and regeneration), reforestation activities, prescribed burning, and understory fuel reduction.  The agency says temporary roads would be used for access.

There is a field trip scheduled for Monday, July 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with Gunflint District Ranger Dennis Neitzke and resource specialists from the Forest Service.  Participants will visit various proposed treatment areas along the Gunflint Trail and have an opportunity to discuss what the proposed treatments would accomplish and entail.

Participants are asked to meet at the South Brule River at the junction of the Gunflint Trail and Forest Road 309 by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 18th.  To attend the afternoon discussion only, meet at the Moose Viewing parking lot at noon.  More information about the field trip is posted on the Superior National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/projects.  Those planning to attend are asked to contact Project Leader Becky Bartol at the Gunflint District Office at 387-1750, or email [email protected].

District Ranger Dennis Neitzke says the Lima Green Project will help move the forest towards desired conditions such as diverse wildlife habitat and forest species.  He also says the Forest Service has been working with tribal and state personnel, scenic byway committee members and members of the public to develop the proposal.

All project objectives and proposed actions are explained in more detail in the Lima Green Scoping Report.  The report can be found on the Superior National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/projects or from the Gunflint Ranger District office in Grand Marais.

Comments on the Lima Green Project proposal will be accepted until August 12, 2011.  Comments may be submitted via mail, fax, email, or by telephone, and should include name, address, and the Lima Green Project name.  All comments received (including names and addresses) will become part of the project file and are public information.

Written comments sent via mail, FAX (218-387-3246), or email must be addressed to:

Dennis Neitzke, District Ranger
Attn: Lima Green Project
Gunflint Ranger District
2020 West Highway 61
Grand Marais, MN 55604

Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), Word (doc), or any software supported by Microsoft applications to:
[email protected].

Oral comments must be provided at the Gunflint Ranger District during normal business hours from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, via telephone at (218) 387-1750, or in person at the above address.