The Forest Service (FS) is proposing to initiate the process to permanently close Management Area (MA) 3.67 in the Douglas Ranger District of the Thunder Basin National Grassland (Grassland) to prairie dog hunting from February 1 to August 15 as directed by the land management plan direction in the Thunder Basin National Grassland 2020 Plan Amendment (Plan Amendment). The Plan Amendment designated MA 3.67 in Campbell, Converse, and Weston counties, Wyoming, which encompasses approximately 42,000 acres, and provides for maintenance of short-stature vegetation communities, including prairie dog colony ecosystems. A Plan Amendment standard requires seasonal prohibition of prairie dog hunting in MA 3.67 to protect at-risk species associated with prairie dog colonies. This proposed permanent seasonal hunting order is needed to implement that Plan Amendment standard. The size of the closure area is limited to the minimum necessary to implement the direction in the Plan Amendment.
The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration.
Robert Robertson
