MARIENVILLE — The USDA Forest Service has signed the decision notice and finding of no significant impact for the Otter project on the Marienville Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest located northwest of Ridgway, Pennsylvania, encompassing approximately 14,506 acres.

The decision includes timber harvest on 1,587 acres using even-aged management and uneven-aged management.

The Otter vegetation management project will:

· Create suitable conditions for the establishment and development of desired tree seedlings;

· Provide a diversity of vegetation structural stages, age classes, and forest types;

· Address forest health issues

· Enhance wildlife habitat and stream conditions;

· Reduce interference from non-native invasive plant species; and

· Improve soil conditions and water quality

This information is also posted on the Allegheny National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55025

The project documents are also available from the Marienville Ranger District office.