Jackson, Wyo. – The Bridger-Teton National Forest continues to seek public input for the next stage in creating its comprehensive management plan for the Wild and Scenic Snake River Headwaters. With 20 segments in 3 classifications along 3 different rivers and 9 creeks, the planning team needs the knowledge and thoughts of everyone who knows these areas in order to create the most useful plan for meeting the Congressional mandate to protect or enhance these waterways into the future. 

Note that this process is separate from the National Park Service management planning process.  This US Forest Service process addresses river reaches on the National Forest (not in the Parks), and paddlers interested in regional rivers are encouraged to paricipate in both processes.   

The planning task began with defining the special characteristics of the river segments. Public meetings and comments were collected in early winter 2010 to help the planning team describe the ‘outstandingly remarkable values’ for each of the segments. People were able to review a draft document at that time, and the revised Outstandingly Remarkable Values Report was posted online in March.

In order to further gain public insight, the planning team has created a short list of questions relevant to this next stage in plan development that can be accessed online. Comments will be most useful by April 11th, 2011.

To answer this round of questions, please go to www.SnakeHeadwatersAct.com , where a complete collection of maps for the designation is also available. For a more complete review of previous work, you may also look at www.BTNF-WSRivers@fs.fed.us .

For more information about the Bridger-Teton’s planning effort for the Wild and Scenic Snake River Headwaters, or for alternative methods to submit comments, please contact Sidney Woods at 307-886-1274, or swoods@fs.fed.us . You may also request a presentation on the current stage of the planning process for your group or organization, and offer insights there.