BIA Forestry Seeks Input from Tribal Members

Looking south towards Wyoming from the top of the Big Horn Mountains' Black Canyon. Crow News Photo/April Gregory.

By Bob Dillon
BIA Forestry Department

Every 15 years we do an inventory of the reservation's forests so we
know how much timber there is, how fast it is growing, and if there are
insect or disease
problems we need to deal with. We also identify the timber's age, species and size
class.

We took inventory during the summer
of 2006. The Crow Reservation has 160,535 acres of forestland.  There
are
79,552 acres of commercial forest that are available for management in
the Wolf and Pryor mountains, and the Ceded Strip; 19,627 acres of
commercial
woodland (hardwood species), 1,391 acres of reserved woodland (hardwood
species in the Big Horn Mountains), and 59,965 acres of reserved
timberland (Big Horn Mountains).

We will use this information to update the Forest Management
Plan.

The Forest Management Plan gives us direction on how to manage the
timber. We will be seeking input from the tribe and tribal members.
We will hold public meetings, and will have a draft plan available for
comments.

This is your opportunity to direct how your forestland is
managed. We need you to participate in the process so we know what you
want. Take part!

The BIA Branch of Forestry is re-writing the Forest Management Plan for the Crow Indian Reservation with the cooperation of the Crow Tribe.

Have you ever thought, “Why don’t I get asked how my mountains should be managed?”

Now is your chance to tell the BIA how you want the forest managed in your mountains. If you are 18 or older, stop by one of the locations listed below, fill out a survey and ask questions.

Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend! Survey should take less than five minutes.

Bob Dillon is the acting manager for the BIA Forestry Department.