US Forest Service opens 30-day comment period on Lost River project near Woodstock

The U.S. Forest Service’s White Mountain National Forest on Tuesday presented the draft Lost River Integrated Resource Project, a multi-component proposal that would affect timber stands, wildlife habitat, roads and recreational sites near state routes 112 and 118 in the Woodstock area, and opened a 30-day public comment period ending May 14.

The project “is a proposal for, an integrated resource project that will support recreation, forestry, and wildlife habitat,” said Ryan Toomey, the district recreation manager filling in for District Ranger Brooke Brown. Scott Hall, the project planner and team leader, told the selectboard the comment window closes on Wednesday, May 14, at 11:59:59 p.m. and said residents can comment electronically or by mailing comments to Brooke Brown.

The draft environmental assessment (EA) lays out several major components: about 1,100 acres of vegetation management (with a mix of partial cuts, not wholesale clearcuts); relocation and redesign of some campsites at Elbow Pond; decommissioning of the Gordon Pond hiking trail; reconstruction, classification and decommissioning of forest roads; and installation of two gates and a half-mile realignment of Elbow Pond Road.

Forest staff described how veg…