Please use the links below to access past Green Mountain National Forest News Releases.

 

Current News:

29 April - FOREST SERVICE TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON DORSET PERU PROJECT

RUTLAND, VT.  The USDA Forest Service will host a public meeting on May 10, 2011 to discuss possible resource management activities in the Dorset and Peru area of the Green Mountain National Forest.  The meeting will be held at the Bromley Mountain Ski Area base lodge located on Route 11 in Peru from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.  The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for the public to share their ideas and suggestions for what project activities to include in the project area.  The Forest Service has been working with members of the public for the past several years to identify what possible activities to consider.  They are now ready to present and discuss those activities as they move forward with a formal environmental analysis for the project scheduled to begin early this summer. 

For more information about the project and / or the May 10 meeting call Melissa Reichert at (802) 747-6722, or email her at mmreichert@fs.fed.us. 

18 April - GMNF CELEBRATES THE WORK OF FOMER U.S. SENATOR

2011 MARKS THE CENTENNIAL OF HISTORIC CONSERVATION LEGISLATION

RUTLAND, VT.  The United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is celebrating the centennial of a landmark environmental law that led to the creation of nearly 20 million acres of national forest lands in the eastern United States.  The Weeks Act, authored by U.S. Senator John W. Weeks of New Hampshire, provided for the creation of national forests in the East.  The Act also established cooperation among states, tribes, and individuals to protect forests and watersheds from fire, flooding, deforestation, and other threats. About one-fifth of the nation’s clean drinking water has its origins in national forests established under the Weeks Act.

In Vermont, the Weeks Act has been the legislative vehicle used to conserve and protect the roughly 400,000 acres known to Vermonters and visitors as the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). Many conservationists view the Weeks Act as one of the most significant achievements of the 20th century. While the Weeks Act was originally passed by Congress in 1911, it is still being used to provide Americans access to broad sections of federal land in Vermont and elsewhere. “It is inspiring to know that over 100 years ago U.S. Senator John Weeks had the vision to introduce such a significant piece of legislation that would in turn conserve public lands for generations to come,” said Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor of the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests. 

The wholesale abandonment of hill farms in the early 20th century, and then the flood of 1927 created the opportunity and urgent need for watershed protection in Vermont, and in 1932 the Green Mountain National Forest was created.  The first purchase of land by the federal government in Vermont was the Marshall Hapgood Estate located in Peru; several other tracts were also acquired in 1932. Additional purchase units were established in 1934 and 1935 and have become the Northern (Rochester / Middlebury) and Southern (Manchester) Districts of the GMNF.  Today, the reforested mountains and hillsides provide forest products and magnificent recreational opportunities, while at the same time maintaining healthy watersheds and ecosystems.

For additional information on the Weeks Act visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/weeks-act.html

15 April - Snowmobile Season Ends Friday April 15th

RUTLAND, VT.  Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) officials remind the public that the snowmobile season ends this Friday, April 15.
Weather permitting, snowmobile use is allowed on designated trails within the Green Mountain National Forest for four months beginning on December 16. “This has been a wonderful season for snowmobile enthusiasts. Trail conditions throughout the season have been great and use of the trail system has been heavy,” said Ethan Ready, Public Affairs Officer for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.

The GMNF and Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) work together to maintain 472 miles of national forest system trails that are part of the statewide snowmobile trail system. VAST is one of the only snowmobile associations in the United States that has a cooperative partnership agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. All of these GMNF trails allow for mixed uses, people are able to snowshoe, hike, cross-country ski, as well as snowmobile.

The maximum snowmobile speed limit on state lands is 35 miles per hour, and Vermont has a tough “Snowmobiling While Intoxicated Law” that covers alcohol, as well as drugs.  All snowmobiles must be legally registered, have liability insurance, and operators must purchase a VAST Trails Maintenance Assessment decal. Helmet use is also required. Forest Service officials encourage winter trail users to pack a flashlight, cell phone, food, and extra warm clothing in case of an emergency.

On the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/greenmountain/g_seasonal.htm#sno_mo

07 March - FOREST SERVICE OFFERS PUBLIC MEETINGS ON PROPOSED PLANNING RULE

ROCHESTER, VT. The USDA Forest Service will offer a public meeting to provide an opportunity for the public to learn about a recently released proposed planning rule and draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23 at the Rochester Ranger District office in Rochester, Vermont. There will be two meetings to choose from with the first being scheduled from 2:00 to 5:00 pm and second from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

The proposed planning rule and associated draft environmental assessment were released for a 90-day public comment period that will end on May 16. Once finalized, the proposed rule will guide all National Forests across the country in a new way to revise and amend Forest Plans. Federal law requires each National Forest to have a Forest Plan to guide all activities that may take place on National Forest system lands. The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont last revised its Forest Plan in 2006. The Forest Plan is not scheduled for revision until 2021.

The meetings will begin with an explanation of the proposed rule followed by a question and answer session. Instructions for how to submit written comments will also be provided. The meetings will be hosted via video conference from the Eastern Regional Office in Milwaukee as part of a national effort to provide the public an opportunity to learn about the proposed rule. Comments will not be collected at the meetings.

For more information about the public meeting call Jay Strand at (802) 767-4261, or email him at jstrand@fs.fed.us.

04 March - GMNF TO TAKE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT ON WIND PROPOSAL

RUTLAND, VT. The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) recently released for public comment its Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the proposed Deerfield Wind Project in the Towns of Searsburg and Readsboro.

The Forest has been evaluating several alternatives in detail, including the original proposal for a 17 turbine project. Two other action alternatives are also being considered. They include development of a 7 turbine project on the ridge east of Route 8, and development of 15 turbine project that matches the Public Service Board approved configuration. The Forest Service can also take “no action” should it decide not to approve the project. The Forest Service must now conclude its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and decide whether or not to allow the project to be built on the Green Mountain National Forest.

GMNF officials released the SDEIS and began taking “formal” public comment on Monday, December 27, 2010. The NEPA process requires that the Forest Service allow the public at least 45 days to review and comment on the proposed alternatives. Initially the Forest Service had intended to close the public comment period after 54 days on Friday, February 18, 2011, allowing extra time for the holidays. Due to limited functionality of the Forest Service’s web site, Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor for the GMNF decided to extend the public comment period for two additional weeks which would have ended today, Friday, March 4, 2011. “In the past week the Forest Service has received several calls and e-mails from additional people seeking to comment on the proposed project. In an effort to meet the needs of those that still wish to review and comment on the project, the Forest Service will again extend the public comment period for another two weeks, now ending on Friday, March 18, 2011,” said Ethan Ready, Public Affairs Officer for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.   

Web Link:
http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_content.php?project=7838

GMFL Web Link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/greenmountain/links/
projects/nepa_project.htm?project=7838

The Green Mountain National Forest has held two “open house” meetings where the public has had an opportunity to view project maps and visual simulations. At the meetings people have been able to pick up copies of the SDEIS, ask questions and submit their comments. The first meeting was held on Thursday, January 20th in Rutland. The second meeting was held on Tuesday, January 25th in Readsboro.  

The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) recently released for public comment its Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the proposed Deerfield Wind Project in the Towns of Searsburg and Readsboro.

 

24 January - GMNF to extend comment period on proposed wind project.

RUTLAND, VT. The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) recently released for public comment its Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the proposed Deerfield Wind Project in the Towns of Searsburg and Readsboro.

The Forest is evaluating several alternatives in detail, including the original proposal for a 17 turbine project. Two other action alternatives are also being considered. They include development of a seven turbine project on the ridge east of Route 8, and development of 15 turbine project that matches the Public Service Board approved configuration. The Forest Service can also take “no action” should it decide not to approve the project. The Forest Service must now conclude its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and decide whether or not to allow the project to be built on the Green Mountain National Forest.

GMNF officials released the SDEIS and began taking “formal” public comment on Monday, December 27, 2010. The NEPA process requires that the Forest Service allow the public at least 45 days to review and comment on the proposed alternatives. Initially the Forest Service had intended to close the public comment period after 54 days on Friday, February 18, 2011, allowing extra time for the holidays. Due to limited functionality of the Forest Service’s web site throughout the past week, Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor for the GMNF has decided to extend the public comment period for two additional weeks, now ending on Friday, March 4, 2011. In an effort to make sure that the public has had ample opportunity to review and comment on the project, the Forest Service has created another web link for the public to view project information.

New Web Link:
http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_content.php?project=7838

GMFL Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/greenmountain/links/
projects/nepa_project.htm?project=7838

In addition, the Green Mountain National Forest has scheduled two “open house” meetings where the public will have an opportunity to view project maps and visual simulations. At the meetings people will be able to pick up copies of the SDEIS, ask questions and submit their comments. The first meeting was held on Thursday, January 20th in Rutland. The second meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 25th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Readsboro Central School (301 Phelps Lane) in Readsboro, VT.

12 January - Forest Service to hold "Open House" meetings in an effort to gather additional               comments on proposed wind project.

RUTLAND, VT. The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) recently released for public comment its Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the proposed Deerfield Wind Project in the Towns of Searsburg and Readsboro. The Deerfield Wind Project is a proposal to construct and operate a wind energy facility on public lands, adjacent to the existing Searsburg facility currently operated by Green Mountain Power on private land.

The Forest is evaluating several alternatives in detail, including the original proposal for a 17 turbine project. Two other action alternatives are also being considered. They include development of a seven turbine project on the ridge east of Route 8, and development of 15 turbine project that matches the Public Service Board approved configuration. The Forest Service can also take “no action” should it decide not to approve the project. The Forest Service must now conclude its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and decide whether or not to allow the project to be built on the Green Mountain National Forest. Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests is expected to issue her decision on the project this summer.

The Green Mountain National Forest has scheduled two “open house” meetings in an effort to gather additional comments from the public. At the meetings the public will have an opportunity to view project maps, visual simulations and pick up copies of the SDEIS.     

OPEN HOUSE MEETINGS DETAILS:

Thursday, January 20th -- 6:00 – 8:00 PM -- Howe Center, 140 Granger Street, Rutland, VT.

Tuesday, January 25th -- 6:00 – 8:00 PM -- Readsboro Central School, 301 Phelps Lane, Readsboro, VT.

The Forest Service will receive public comment on this project through February 18, 2011.

View the SDEIS

29 Dec - Forest Service Urges Caution For Snowmobile Riders

RUTLAND, VT.  Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) officials recommend that snowmobilers exercise caution when operating on National Forest, and all lands, in Vermont this winter.

Weather permitting, snowmobile use is allowed on designated trails within the Green Mountain National Forest for the next four months through Friday, April 15, 2011.

“Given the significant number of injuries and fatalities that occurred last season, we are concerned about user safety. Patrols which are aimed at enforcing rules and regulations, monitoring trail conditions, and providing visitor information will occur throughout the Forest,” said Colleen Madrid, forest supervisor for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.

The GMNF will continue to work closely with state and local law enforcement agencies as well as the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) to make sure users of the trail system are respectful, responsible, law abiding, and safe.

The GMNF and VAST cooperate to maintain 472 miles of National Forest system trails that are part of the larger statewide snowmobile network. VAST is one of the only snowmobile associations in the United States that has a cooperative partnership agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.

“All of these trails allow mixed uses, so people are snowshoeing, hiking and cross-country skiing as well as using snowmobiles. Snowmobilers should travel responsibly and yield to other users,” said Madrid.

The maximum speed on state lands is 35 m.p.h. and Vermont has a tough Snowmobiling While Intoxicated Law that covers alcohol as well as drugs. 

The Forest Service is also warning all snow travelers of the dangers in riding, hiking, and skiing on frozen water bodies. Trail users are encouraged to be mindful of fallen trees and other hazards they may encounter.

Operators must maintain control of their snowmobiles while riding, keep to the right at all times, and stay on designated trails only. All snowmobiles must be legally registered, have liability insurance, and operators must purchase a VAST Trails Maintenance Assessment decal. Helmet use is also required. Officials also encourage winter trail users to pack a flashlight, cell phone, food, and extra warm clothing in case of an emergency.

For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/index.htm or www.vtvast.org/VAST.html.

20 Dec - Forest releases supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement on wind               project.

RUTLAND, VT. The Green Mountain National Forest released for public comment their Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the proposed Deerfield Wind Project in the Towns of Searsburg and Readsboro. The Deerfield Wind Project is a proposal to construct and operate a wind energy facility on public lands, adjacent to the existing Searsburg facility currently operated by Green Mountain Power on private land.

“Our role is to analyze and disclose the environmental impacts of the proposal and then to decide which alternative would reflect the best option for the National Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Colleen Madrid who explained that public comment is an important part of the analysis and will help in the decision making process. 

The project also requires a Vermont State review conducted by the Public Service Board under statute Section 248. That process formally began in January 2007 and concluded in July 2009 with a decision to issue the applicant, Iberdrola Renewables, a Certificate of Public Good approving a 15-turbine project. “The Forest Service must now conclude its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and decide whether or not to allow the project to be built on the Green Mountain National Forest,” said Madrid. That decision is expected in early summer 2011.

The SDEIS has been prepared in response to public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), released in September 2008. Concerns were expressed at that time that the Section 248 review was not completed prior to the release of the Draft EIS, and therefore, the Draft EIS could not contain key findings from the Public Service Board. The DEIS has included those findings in its analysis along with further analysis on developing its range of alternatives and other important issues such as impacts to black bears, birds, and bats.

The Forest is evaluating several alternatives in detail in their SDEIS, including the original proposal from the applicant for a 17 turbine project. Two other action alternatives are being considered. They include development of a seven turbine project on the ridge east of Route 8, and development of 15 turbine project that matches the Public Service Board approved configuration. The Forest Service can also take “no action” should it decide not to approve the project.

To view the SDEIS or to submit a comment, please visit the link below:
greenmountain/htm/greenmountain/links/projects/nepa_project.htm?project=7838
The Forest Service will be receiving comments through February 18, 2011. The Forest will hold two open house events during the comment period to share and gather information.  

7 Dec - $5.00 Christmas Trees Available on the Green Mountain National Forest

RUTLAND, VT. U.S. Forest Service officials in Vermont are encouraging the public to purchase Christmas tree permits should they be interested in a five-dollar tree for the holidays.

22 Nov - Forest Service and Recreation Partners Team up to Improve Public Trail Systems

RUTLAND, VT.  The Green Mountain National Forest and numerous partner organizations are celebrating more than $1.6 million worth of recreation projects that have recently been completed throughout the State of Vermont. The funding was made available as part of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The landmark legislation was passed by Congress on February 13, 2009 and signed into law by President Obama.

Several long-standing partnerships held between the Forest Service and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC), Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Green Mountain Club, Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST), Catamount Trail Association and the Moosalamoo Association allowed for the hiring of trail maintenance workers and contractors. Over the past construction season, the Forest Service has worked with dozens of different contractors and helped to employ 60 young adults on VYCC trail crews. The crews helped to reduce a large backlog of maintenance on hiking, skiing, biking, equestrian, and snowmobile trails on the Green Mountain National Forest. “This funding has not only helped to improve our infrastructure and reduce our deferred maintenance, but it has also helped to engage our youth and drive economic activity in rural communities forest-wide,” said Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.  

One partner, the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, worked with 18 different contractors and 10 local snowmobile clubs to implement 27 trail related projects totaling more than $500,000. This winter snowmobile enthusiasts will enjoy improvements on the 450 mile network of VAST trails on the National Forest including: 18 new wooden or steel I-beam bridges; over 40 new culverts; about 50 miles of tread work; over 10 miles of de-brushing; and a new trail re-location that removed snowmobile traffic from a plowed vehicle road. VAST is one of the only snowmobile associations in the United States that has a cooperative partnership agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. “We are very excited about the many trail enhancements that have been made in the past year and I want to thank the U.S. Forest Service for their support and partnership,” said Bryant Watson, Executive Director of VAST.

In addition to the trail related projects, the U.S. Forest Service has worked with several other contractors to restore and maintain public roads, recreation sites and facilities throughout the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests. The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests received more than $10 million in Recovery Act funding, which ranked it third in terms of funding received by a single national forest in the Eastern Region. For more information please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/index.htm.

4 Nov - Forest Service Releases Decision for Forest-wide Non-native Invasive Plant Control               Project

RUTLAND, VT --   The USDA Forest Service has released the decision for the Forest-wide Non-native Invasive Plant Control Project.  The decision authorizes an integrated program for the prevention, eradication, suppression, and reduction of existing and future non-native invasive plant infestations throughout the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont.  Control methods that are now allowed on the Forest include mechanical, manual, physical, prescribed fire, chemical, biological, or domestic grazing.

The integrated approach considers the best available scientific information, most current invasive plant inventories, and effectiveness of control methods designed to meet desired treatment objectives to control infestations.  Prior to the release of the decision the Forest Service was limited to treating invasive plants in areas less than one-tenth acre in size with just mechanical, manual or physical methods.  Under the new decision, treatment can now be implemented on unlimited acres as long as the effects are within an acceptable range as disclosed in the Final Environmental Assessment for the project.

There are over 850 non-native invasive plant infestations known to currently occur on the National Forest totaling approximately 1,650 acres.  Some of the undesirable effects caused by these plants include loss of biological diversity and natural wildlife habitat, degradation of soil structure, and decreased quality of recreational experiences.  “Our ability to treat existing and new invasive plants will be substantially increased with the new control tools available to us” says Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor for the Green Mountain National Forest and decision-maker for this project.  The increased flexibility and options available for control will also position the Forest Service to be able to quickly treat infestations as they are discovered across the National Forest before they become too large to treat successfully.

Madrid selected Alternative C from the Final Assessment for implementation. This alternative was designed to address the suggestion to include aquatic herbicides as an option to control non-native invasive aquatic and wetland plant species to maintain the natural diversity in water bodies.

The Forest Service will be able to begin using the new control treatments now available to them following a 45-day administrative appeals process for the decision which ends on December 13. For more information about the project call Jay Strand at 802-767-4261 X522, or e-mail him at jstrand@fs.fed.us.

22 Oct - $10 Million toward Forest Service Recovery Act Projects in Vermont and New York

CHITTENDEN, VT.  U.S. Forest Service officials, business leaders, congressional staff, municipal leaders and partner organizations gathered at a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate significant milestones for the forest-related economic recovery projects that received more than $10 million from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The landmark legislation was signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009.

Flanked by partners and U.S. Forest Service employees, Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests, announced the distribution of funding to dozens of projects throughout the roughly 416,000 acres of national forest systems lands in Vermont and New York. Using Lefferts Pond Dam as a backdrop, Madrid showcased the importance of the Recovery Act and thanked the contractors and construction employees who worked diligently in recent months to upgrade and improve the dam, which was originally built in the early 1900s. “This funding has not only helped to improve our infrastructure and reduce our deferred maintenance, but it has also helped to drive economic activity in rural communities forest-wide,” said Madrid.

Alteration and re-construction of the dam began in May and is expected to be complete in October. The historic dam, which had become structurally deficient over the years, helps to retain water in Lefferts Pond a very popular recreation site on the Green Mountain National Forest. To form and pour concrete, a temporary dam was built so that workers could access the deteriorating structure. Also on hand at the event was Kent Belden, President of the Rutland based Belden Company who served as the general contractor for the project. “We are very proud of the work that we have done here over the 2010 construction season and I want to thank the U.S. Forest Service for their support and partnership,” said Belden. The total cost of the dam re-construction project was just over $1.4 million.             

In addition to the Lefferts Pond Dam project, the U.S. Forest Service has worked with several other partners to restore and maintain public roads, trails, recreation sites and facilities throughout the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests. The U.S. Forest Service as a whole received $1.15 billion dollars in Recovery Act funding, with the Eastern Region receiving about $93 million. The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests received more than $10 million in Recovery Act funding, which ranked it third in terms of funding received by a single national forest in the Eastern Region. For more information about the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/index.htm. Information on other Forest Service ARRA projects and related economic recovery efforts can be found at: http://fs.usda.gov/economicrecovery.

 

Archives:

 

2010

Jun- Lefferts Pond & Robert Frost Recreation Areas Vehicle Closure Order
May- Forest Opening Roads, Trails, and Campgrounds for Summer Season
Apr- New Forest Supervisor Colleen Madris arrives on Forest
Mar - Recovery Act work starts at Lefferts Pond Day Use Area
Feb - Forest releases preliminary environmental assessment for proposed Upper White River project
Jan - Forest warns snowmobile travelers to exercise extreme caution

2009

Nov - Forest to restore access to Moosalamoo area Trail System
Oct - Vermont Man Sentenced In Firearms Case
Sept - Archeologists work on site at Little Rock Pond
Sept - Crews Complete Lost Pond Shelter
Jul - Employee forecast forest health
Jul - Forest relies on seasonal workforce for field season
May - Forest to host National get outdoors day
Feb - Vermont timber headed to Montana museum
Feb - Forest Archaeologist profiled