Forest Service advances timber project near West Yellowstone, opens objection period

Federal officials have advanced a large timber project southwest of West Yellowstone, meaning people who submitted comments on the project can now file their objections.

On Tuesday, the Forest Service released a draft decision approving the South Plateau Area Landscape Treatment Project — an approximately 16,500 acre timber project that borders Yellowstone National Park.

Work on the South Plateau project will involve thinning approximately 9,000 acres of forest, 5,600 acres of scattered clear cuts and burning around 600 acres, among other treatments. The Forest Service also plans to restore aspen trees on approximately 160 acres and build up to 57 miles of temporary roads, according to the draft decision.