A new plan governing management and uses of the Shoshone National Forest is set to be finalized soon. But some groups, like the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, take issue with parts of the plan.
Of concern is an increase in motorized use in the Frank's Peak and Wood River roadless areas. Independent Contractor Charles Wolf Drimal says during the Forest's planning process, those areas were identified as having the highest wilderness potential.
“Some other things that make this place so unique is that it's one of two places in the state of Wyoming where there are high elevation pronghorn antelope that migrate up there and graze during the summer time and sage grouse actually fly from the Bighorn Reservoir and gather up on the plateau just north of Frank's Peak,” says Drimal.
Drimal says human presence, and especially increasing use by motor vehicles, could have an adverse effect on these species.
The objection period is open until the 24th of this month.
Forest Chief Tom Tidwell is expected to make a final decision about the plan by early August.