Dillon BLM releases East Pioneers, Madison environmental assessments
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(DILLON, Mont.) – The Dillon Field Office has released environmental assessments for the East Pioneers and Madison watershed and the public is invited to comment on them through July 15.
The documents have been placed on the BLM’s ePlanning webpage. The East Pioneers Watershed EA is also on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Service webpage since it proposes projects on adjacent Forest Service lands.
Comments may be made in writing and submitted to the Dillon Field Office at 1005 Selway Drive, Dillon, MT 59725, or via email at MT_Dillon_FO@blm.gov.
Both EAs were developed to address resource concerns and issues on BLM-managed public lands in their respective watersheds. The East Pioneers Watershed EA also includes proposed treatment on approximately 900 acres of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest lands. Resource concerns and issues were identified following the release of the watershed assessment reports and through public comments received earlier this year. The Madison Watershed is in Madison County and covers more than 39,000 acres of BLM-managed public land. The East Pioneers Watershed is in Beaverhead County and covers about 37,000 acres of BLM-managed public land. In addition, approximately 900 acres of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest lands were included in the East Pioneers EA.
Both EAs review current livestock grazing management, along with proposed changes to management where needed, proposed rangeland improvement projects, as well as vegetative management projects to address conifer encroachment. In addition, commercial timber harvest projects, travel management, recreation and wilderness-related issues are addressed in the Madison Watershed.
Once the public comment period closes, Dillon Field Office staff will review comments and take them into consideration during the decision-making process. Decisions are expected to be issued this Fall for both watersheds.
For questions regarding the EAs, please call the following individuals:
Madison Watershed: Tucker Porter (406) 683-8048
East Pioneers Watershed (BLM-related questions): Dusty Crowe (406) 683-8044
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest: Jamie Tripp (406) 683-3988 or Molly Ryan (406) 689-3243.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.