PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – October 1, 2024
Contact:
Louis Bushey, Stewardship Forester
Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Louis.Bushey@vermont.gov, 802-357-5100
Public Scoping Meeting Announced for Jay State Forest Long-Range Management Plan
St. Johnsbury, VT- The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is initiating the development of a new Long-Range Management Plan for Jay State Forest and invites Vermonters to participate in the public scoping process. A public meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Montgomery Town Hall on 57 Main St in Montgomery Center, offering an opportunity for the public to share feedback on how these lands are used and valued.
Long-Range Management Plans, typically covering a 20-year period, serve as comprehensive guides for managing Agency of Natural Resources lands.
To ensure the plan reflects the needs and interests of the public, FPR is seeking input early in the planning process. Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting and provide input via an online survey. The survey will remain open until Friday, November 15, 2024.
"Public input is vital to our management planning process," said Oliver Pierson, Forests Division Director. "It helps us understand how people use and value these lands and contributes to the initial draft of the plan, which we will share for public comment before finalizing."
Jay State Forest is comprised of 8,242 acres of conserved land in the towns of Jay, Montgomery, Richford, and Westfield. The forest features a diverse range of natural communities, terrains, and recreational opportunities, including its association with skiing and the Long Trail. It is home to unique wildlife habitats and high-elevation natural communities of significant ecological value.
The Long-Range Management Plan for this parcel will address public access, recreational resources outside of the ski lease area, wildlife and fisheries habitats, forest health and management options ranging from sugaring licenses to commercial vegetation management. This Long-Range Management Plan will not cover the operational aspects of the Jay Peak Ski Resort, which are addressed under a separate lease agreement.
For more information on the public scoping process and to access the survey, visit the Jay State Forest webpage.
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