USFS releases list of projects to improve health of Colorado forest

Details of a sweeping plan to enhance wildlife habitat and reduce wildfire risk on 50,000 acres of the White River National Forest in the Roaring Fork Valley have been unveiled by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Forest Service wants to use prescribed burns, mechanical removal of vegetation and tree cutting over a decade to create more age diversity in trees and vegetation. That will improve the foraging and living conditions for wildlife and songbirds, according to the agency's description of the project. Elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep are the big game that would directly benefit from the work.