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KUNC is among the founding partners of the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration of public media stations that serve the Western states of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Public Comment Period For NEPA Changes Extended

Forest Service / Paul A. Robbins

The U.S. Forest Service wants to cut out parts of its environmental review process. The agency says it's a way to speed up certain projects. But that has conservationists worried.

Normally, the Forest Service goes through a process known as the National Environmental Policy Act-also known as NEPA-any time it plans to alter the landscape, like with clear-cutting or installing pipeline.

"What the Forest Service is doing is restricting significantly the number of projects that would be subject to that process," said Joro Walker, general counsel with Western Resource Advocates, a pro-conservation non-profit.

For example, the new rule would allow the agency to clear-cut areas of old-growth forest without an environmental analysis. It would also mean the agency doesn't have to ask for public input on those projects. Walker said that's a bad idea.

"Better decisions are made when the public is involved," said Walker.

The U.S. Forest Service did not respond to requests for comment. The public now has until August 26 to comment on the proposed changes.

This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUER in Salt Lake City, KUNR in Nevada, and KRCC and KUNC in Colorado.

Copyright 2020 Wyoming Public Radio. To see more, visit .

Maggie Mullen is a fifth generation Wyomingite, born and raised in Casper. She is currently a Masters candidate in American Studies and will defend her thesis on female body hair in contemporary American culture this May. Before graduate school, she earned her BA in English and French from the University of Wyoming. Maggie enjoys writing, cooking, her bicycle, swimming in rivers and lakes, and most any dog.
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