Congressman Billy Long says concerned citizens of a planned controlled burn in Barry County will be able to voice their opinion during an open house early next year.
In a statement issued Friday, Long says many residents were unaware of a plan by the Forest Service to conduct the controlled burn in the Butler Hollow portion of the Mark Twain National Forest. The burn is said to involve over 17,000 acres.
“I am glad area residents will have the opportunity to express their concerns to Forest Service officials in January. It is important the Forest Service hear the concerns of area residents and work to address them before moving forward with the controlled burn,” Long said.
Long represents Missouri's 7th district in the U.S. House, which includes southwest Missouri. He says he secured the commitment from the Forest Service to hold the open house after the agency declined to extend the public comment period for the burn, which ends on December 22nd.
The open house in January will allow citizens to comment on the project, which will have the same merit as the comments submitted during the public comment period.
Long says the Forest Service will announce the date and time for the open house early next year.