Governor Matt Mead has announced the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the National Forest Service have entered into an agreement to conduct forest, rangeland and watershed restoration services on Forest Service lands in the state of Wyoming. The agencies signed a Master Good Neighbor Agreement that authorize restoration services like treating insect and disease infested trees, activities to reduce hazardous fuels and any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat.

“Cooperative efforts benefit the forest and forest users,” said Governor Mead. “The Forest Service and Wyoming will work together to manage lands for forest health.”

The goal of the agreement is to provide the framework and document the cooperative effort between the agencies to not only perform, but to increase the amount of authorized restoration work that is carried out on the ground each year.  

“The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is committed to increasing partnerships for habitat restoration work on federal lands. This agreement helps us accomplishes that and is a benefit to the wildlife of Wyoming,” said Scott Talbott, director of the Game and Fish.

Project work under the new agreement has already begun, with approximately 300 acres of aspen restoration and hazardous fuels reduction activities underway in the Iron Mountain area of the Washakie Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest. 

“We are excited to announce the signing of the Master Agreement. The document formalizes our commitment to collaboratively manage wildlife habitat on National Forest System Lands within the state of Wyoming,” said Nora Rasure, regional forester for the Intermountain Region. “We look forward to working with Game and Fish on developing strategies for future project implementation” added Brian Ferebee, regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region.