Staff members on the Manchester and Rochester-Middlebury ranger districts of the Green Mountain National Forest have been working to develop a recreation strategy that is intended to reduce costs and maximize public benefits while balancing social, economic, and environmental factors. The Forest plans to finalize its 5-year Recreation Facility Strategy before this year’s prime recreation season.
A public comment meeting and open house will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Rochester-Middlebury Ranger District, on Route 100 north of Rochester village, 6-8 p.m.
Comments will be collected and accepted through March 11. The comments collected during this period as well as contact information will become part of the RSA Public Meeting record.
Comments can be submitted either at the district’s public meeting or by emailing to: comments-eastern-green-mt-finger-lakes@usda.gov.
District maps for review and comment are located at the bottom of the Green Mountain-Finger Lakes home page: fs.usda.gov/gmfl. When submitting comments online, please enter the subject line as follows: “Recreation Site Analysis Manchester Ranger District” or “Recreation Site Analysis Rochester-Middlebury Ranger District.”
“The Forests have been working since 2016 to develop a proposal for a sustainable recreation program,” said John Sinclair, Forest Supervisor of the Green Mountain-Finger Lakes National Forest. “We finally have a proposal and are looking forward to engaging with our stakeholders on next steps. The Forest will consider all comments and feedback received during the public engagement period,” he said. “We value your feedback and look forward to your participation in this effort.”
For more information, contact Ethan Ready, Public Affairs Officer, at Green Mountain National Forest supervisor’s office, 231 No. Main St. in Rutland, eready@fs.fed.us or 747-6760.
