Water data important to USFS

Editor’s note: This is the second is a series of stories about the Platte River Basin Plan.

The local United States Forest Service (USFS) has a vested interest in the Platte River Basin Plan, as many headwaters begin in the Medicine Bow National Forest, according to District Ranger Melanie Fullman.

District staff attended the Platte River Basin Plan meeting Jan. 27, because they anticipate being involved in the process.

Fullman said the USFS routinely collects and analyzes water data as a part of normal land management.

“We look forward to sharing in the plan,” Fullman said.

Water is an intricate part of the Forest from the water in the campgrounds to fish habitats and from domestic use of water supplies to livestock grazing, Fullman said.

The USFS has been involved in monitoring water quantity and quality for more than 100 years and has a crew that is involved when the USFS receives specific requests.

With so many large waters starting on Forest lands, the USFS continues to include water data in all national Forest plans, Fullman said.

The integration of the Forest plan and its relationship to the basin plan gives the USFS a good opportunity to a step back and re-look at all water issues, Fullman said.

The next story in the series will appear in the Feb. 24 issue of the Saratoga Sun.

 

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