DEL NORTE– The Divide Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest announced the availability of the draft decision notice and the environmental assessment including the finding of no significant impact for the Five Below Timber Management Project. District Ranger, Martha Williamson, has documented her decision to move forward with the project in the draft decision notice that was announced in a Legal Notice published in the Valley Courier on March 24, 2023.

The publication of the legal notice marks the start of a 45-day predecisional objection period during which interested parties who have previously submitted comments on this project have the opportunity to submit objections to the draft decision. More information on submitting an objection can be found in the legal notice. Designed to produce timber and manage for a sustained yield of forest products over the long run, this project also has the benefit of improving forest resource alignment with desired conditions. The project may involve constructing up to four miles of new administrative use road that will add to the National Forest Road System and up to 2.5 miles of temporary road that will be closed after the project is completed.

“I think it’s cool that the Rio Grande National Forest is in a position to support the full breadth of the agency’s multiple-use mission, even stretching back to the Organic Act of 1897,” said Divide District Ranger, Martha Williamson. “We are still able to both provide timber and safeguard the forest’s long-term ability to accommodate a wide range of uses.” Williamson expressed her appreciation for the staff’s hard work amid turnover, to reach this important milestone. The project area encompasses 14,330 acres and is centered approximately six miles southeast of South Fork, Colorado, entirely within Rio Grande County.

To view information on the Five Below Project, visit the official project webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62319. You may also call the Divide Ranger District office at 719-657-3321.