The Environmental Assessment for USFS Bearcat Hollow Project Phase 2 has
been published. The public has 30 days to submit comments. Comment
period closes on Jan 10, 2012.

Along with the usual logging of thousands of acres, repeated burning of
thousands of acres, and spraying of herbicides over thousands of acres,
the project proposal includes introducing Western Rocky Mountain Elk
onto 38,000 acres in the Piney District of the greater Ozark National
Forest. The project adjoins Richland Creek and the Richland Creek
Wilderness area.

No EIS has been done to examine the impact of introducing this big game
species onto the forest, or, the impact of razing thousands of acres of
the forest to create open oak woodlands, meadows, and savannas, which,
according to USFS staff is the "desired future condition" of the forest.

Project EA:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5342314.pdf

Project maps:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5342318.pdf

You may mail your comment(s) to Bruce C. Davenport, Big Piney Ranger
District, 12000 SR 27, Hector, AR 72843. Verbal or hand-delivered
written comments must be received during our normal business hours of
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon-Fri. Comments may be mailed electronically
to our office, in a common digital format, at:
comments-southern-ozark-stfrancis-bayou@fs.fed.us

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mike Mulford at
the District Ranger’s Office in Jasper, Arkansas at the following
number 870-446-5122 extension 5136