The US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is initiating an environmental analysis of the Hemlock Run Project in the Bradford Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest.

The 18,004-acre project area is located in Mead Township, Warren County, and Hamilton and Corydon townships, McKean County. Public comments are encouraged.

Within the project area, proposed actions include improvements to forest health through tree harvesting and reforestation, oak restoration, prescribed fire, treatment of non-native invasive plants, wildlife habitat improvements, and aquatic habitat improvements, and stream improvements. Proposed transportation actions include using non-system roads for project activities, any needed improvements to bring the non-system roads to an appropriate standard, road construction, and improvements to existing Forest Service roads. Details of the proposal are available on the Managing the Land — Projects page of the Allegheny National Forest website under the Hemlock Run Project.

The public is encouraged to respond with site-specific comments about the proposed activities, along with supporting information and rationale to help identify issues that need to be addressed. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be available for public inspection as part of the project record. Submit comments by April 13 through any of the following methods:

“Public comments are important to help guide management on these public lands. We carefully review every comment we receive on proposed activities. Comments may be used to modify or develop alternatives to the proposed action,” said Bradford District Ranger Rich Hatfield.

Additional information about this project is available on the Managing the Land — Projects page of the Allegheny National Forest website under the Hemlock Run Project. For questions about this project, contact Hatfield by phone at the district office or by email at richard.hatfield@usda.gov.