The USDA Forest Service has completed the proposed action for the Somerset Integrated Resource Project and is now inviting your written comments in response to the proposal during a 30-day comment period that will begin with the March 29, 2019 publication of the legal notice in the Rutland Herald newspaper. The 30-day comment period ends April 29, 2019.  

This comment period is the only designated opportunity for public comment for the Somerset project. In order to be eligible to submit an objection when the project environmental assessment and draft decision notice are distributed for public review later this summer, you will need to provide timely specific written comments during this comment period.

The 71,000 acre project area is located on the Manchester Ranger District, Green Mountain National Forest within multiple towns and counties. The Somerset project consists of multiple resource management activities that are designed to meet desired conditions provided by the Green Mountain National Forest Land & Resource Management Plan.

The attached letter provides direction for how and where to submit comments during the 30-day comment period. You may review a detailed description of the proposal in the Somerset  Integrated Resource Project Notice of Proposed Action and Opportunity to Comment scoping document, maps and other information on our website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53706. 

The information is also available for review at the Manchester Ranger Station located in Manchester Center, Vermont; and the Green Mountain National Forest Service Supervisor’s Office located in Rutland, Vermont.

The Forest Service will host a public open house on April 11, 2019 from 4:30-7:00pm in the Manchester Community Library located at 138 Cemetery Avenue/Route 7A, Manchester Center, VT 05255. After a brief introduction, the open house format will provide an informal opportunity to ask Forest Service staff questions regarding proposed activities and receive an introductory overview of the Somerset project story map (interactive web map) that provides an optional avenue to submit comments. Hard copy maps and information will also be available for review.