The U.S. Forest Service plans to hold an open house this month to hear from citizens about plans for a controlled burn near Cassville.
U.S. Representative Billy Long, a Republican from the 7th District, asked the agency to hold a forum so that area residents could learn about the plans and give input. The open house is planned for January 27 from 4:30 to 7:30 at the Show-Me Plaza, 404 State Highway 248, in Cassville.
The Forest Service is planning a 17,000-acre controlled burn in the Butler Hollow area of the Mark Twain National Forest in Barry County.
The public comment period has also been extended 12 days beginning on January 26 and ending on February 6. Residents can submit comments by mail to the District Ranger, Rt. 6 Box 614110, Ava, MO, 65608, via fax at 417-683-5722 or by email at comments-eastern-mark-twain-ava@fs.fed.us with Butler Hollow Project Comments in the subject line of the fax or email.
According to Long’s office, the congressman secured a commitment in December from the Forest Service to hold the open house after the agency initially declined to extend the public comment period for the burn.
Long says he’s “pleased that the Forest Service has followed up on their commitment to provide a forum for Southwest Missourians to directly address concerns with the controlled burn in Barry County and learn more about the project,” He says it’s important for the agency to work with Barry County residents before moving forward with the plan.
Find more information on the U.S. Forest Service’s plans for Butler Hollow by clicking here.
