Comment deadline extended for Sublette mule deer plan

Comment deadline extended for Sublette mule deer plan

The deadline has been extended from Nov. 30 to Dec. 14 for public comment on a joint proposal to improve the quantity and quality of habitat in the Sublette Mule Deer Herd Unit, which has suffered losses in recent years. The proposal is a joint effort between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Pinedale Anticline Project Office (PAPO) and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

“Given the current level of interest, extending the formal comment period will help us gather the best information possible to maximize the likelihood of success if we implement this project in the field,” PAPO coordinator Eric Decker said in a press release.

The “10-Year Sublette Mule Deer Mitigation Plan” proposal is in response to the decline of mule deer on the Mesa winter range and focuses on habitat in the Ryegrass, Soapholes and Mesa areas. Click here for a link to the plan. An environmental assessment will be prepared to analyze the proposal, including recommendations for invasive plant species reduction, herbicide applications, reseeding, mechanical treatments, prescribed burning, and post-treatment management. The majority of proposed vegetation treatments are located in arid sagebrush communities, with some occurring in aspen, mixed mountain shrub and riparian communities.

The BLM is seeking constructive public comments to help identify additional treatment locations, options, potential issues, concerns, ideas, alternatives, or other mitigation options which can help meet the goals of increasing sagebrush and other mountain shrub productivity while enhancing forb and grass composition and diversity. In addition, a few projects are targeted at improving habitat which may influence Greater Sage-Grouse productivity.

Comments should be mailed or delivered to Eric Decker, PAPO, 1625 W. Pine St., P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941; faxed to 307-367-5329; or emailed to egdecker@blm.gov with “Sublette Mule Deer Mitigation” in the subject line by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14.

BLM officials advise that before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask BLM in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, the agency cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

For further information, contact Decker at 307-367-5386.