CREEDE, Colo. – The Rio Grande National Forest is inviting public input for the environmental analysis of the North Pool Spruce Beetle Salvage Project. The proposed project would salvage dead and dying spruce trees on approximately 1000 acres north of Hanson’s Mill located 11 miles east of Creede.
 
Spruce beetles have infested more than 550,000 acres of spruce-fir forest on the Rio Grande National Forest. The Forest salvages dead and dying spruce trees for human benefit in areas designated for timber management as long as the trees are useable for commercial purposes. Funds generated by the timber sales help cover the costs for replanting seedlings in harvested areas with inadequate regeneration to help provide a “jump-start” for the next forest.
 
Comments will be most useful if received within 30 days of the publication of the North Pool Spruce Beetle Salvage Project legal notice in the Valley Courier. Written comments should be submitted to North Pool Spruce Beetle Salvage Project at: Divide Ranger District, 13308 W. Hwy 160, Del Norte, CO 81132.  Comments may also be sent via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by facsimile to 719-657-6035.
 
For more information concerning the North Pool Spruce Beetle Salvage Project, visit the project webpage at http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/riogrande/landmanagement/projects or call the Divide Ranger District office at 719-657-3321.

Latest News