LA JARA – The Rio Grande National Forest is inviting input on four proposed timber salvage projects the Conejos Peak Ranger District. All four of the projects implement the previously approved CP District-wide Salvage Project.

The implementation projects include:

• Rusty Water – 570 acres, located directly east of Summitville.

• Red Mountain – 665 acres, located two miles east of Platoro.

• Cornwall – Up to 1,663 acres, located northeast of Platoro on Cornwall Mountain.

• Globe – Up to 180 acres, located two miles northwest of Platoro.

These individual salvage projects tiered to the overarching CP District-wide Salvage Project go through another round of review by resource specialists. During this time, the public is also invited to provide input.

A public meeting to discuss these projects is being offered on Tuesday, October 16, from 1-3 p.m. at the Conejos Peak Ranger District office, 15571 County Road T5, La Jara.

Conejos Peak District Ranger Andrea Jones approved the CP District-wide Salvage Project last month. More than 330,000 acres were included in the analysis area on the west side of the district. The decision allows up to 14,000 acres of dead and dying spruce trees to be salvaged over a 10-year period for commercial use, as well as thinning trees near private land to protect structures from wildland fire while protecting important wildlife habitat.

Surveys will be conducted the first and third year after areas are harvested to determine stocking levels of the remaining trees. Tree seedlings grown from locally collected seed sources will be planted in those areas determined to not be adequately stocked.

Maps and specialists reports for each proposed salvage project will be available on the project website under the post-decision tab at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48818.

For more information, contact Michael Tooley at the Conejos Peak Ranger District office at 719-274-8971.