Brett Storey with the Greys River Collaborative spoke with SVI Media’s Dan Dockstader regarding some of the projects the collaborative is working on in conjunction with the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

(0:00) Brett Storey with the Grays River Collaborative, having a meeting at the (0:03) Grays River Ranger District right now as we speak. Tell us about what the (0:07) Collaborative is doing most recently, big big work, but in the future as well. (0:12) Right, yeah, we recently started the Southwest Middle Roots Project, which is (0:16) just over the hill, and we’ve got like 135 acres done, got a lot planned for (0:22) next year, probably around a thousand acres next year is the goal, and that’s (0:26) combined with Wyoming Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, Star Valley Conservation (0:31) District, and the Collaborative, and a few other partners, so we’re real excited (0:35) about that.

We just heard we didn’t get the grant for the Grover Park Master (0:40) Plan, so I’m gonna relook at how we can go about getting some funding for that (0:44) because that’s got to get done. We want to make sure and plan Grover Park (0:49) for the future for everyone, so that’s coming up. Today, Justin, the Ranger’s (0:54) going to talk about quite a few projects that have been moving forward (0:58) with NEPA, talk about a few projects that have been completed this year, some (1:02) prescribed fires, and then there was a timber sale in the Kemmerer District which (1:09) did not get bid on, which is unusual, and so we’re gonna we’re gonna strategize (1:14) about what happened there and try to get… How we might step out and work it into (1:18) the market more, as maybe people are surprised that you’re actually getting (1:22) all these things done.

How do they step up to the plate? I think part of it is (1:26) the market. The market’s still soft for wood. The Forest Service did (1:32) institute a number of changes after our field trip last year, talking to all the (1:36) timber operators.

We don’t really know, so we’re gonna dig into that. (1:41) I’m gonna try to help Justin with that, and Adam, it’s in Adam’s (1:45) district, so that’s on the agenda, and then we’re looking for, you know, planning (1:51) for next year. We do have some more projects coming next year, so we want to (1:55) make sure we have everything ready to go by the time the season hits, which here, (2:00) because of different kinds of wildlife, some things can be done early and some (2:03) things can’t until August, so we’re gonna map that out.

Very good, but as we (2:08) close out, an overall summary of the Grays River Collaborative, which now you’re (2:11) coordinating and heading up now. Bright story. I think it’s exciting.

I think (2:15) we’re gonna get a lot of work done in the next several years, and we’re (2:18) gonna grow and build on that, and I think the Forest Service is settling (2:21) down with what the administration gave them for changes, and now people are (2:25) gonna get to work, back to work, and that’s the goal. Get back to work in the (2:28) forest, make it healthy for all of us. Bright story.

Grays River Collaborative (2:32) with Dan Dockstader at the Grays River District Ranger’s Office in Afton.