Buffalo Springs Restoration Project – Public Engagement
As stewards of the land, we are entrusted by the American people to take a holistic look at forest ecosystems and make informed decisions about the future direction of those ecosystems and any needed management actions to improve conditions. An important part of that process is involving the local community, interested organizations, and forest visitors. This page is to share information about the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project and keep you updated on its status.
Resources
- View a Detailed Map of Proposed Treatments
- Read Our Newsletter Introduction to the Project
- View Video Presentations by Our Specialists
- Learn More about the Importance of Young Forest Habitat
- View the official Buffalo Springs Restoration Project page for all information related to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including information on public scoping and commenting.
- Information on the Native Hardwood Restoration Demonstration Site
- How a drinking water utility uses forest management as a key source water protection strategy
Next Steps
As of September 12, 2024 the project is in the pre-decisional objection phase.
Public Engagement
September 22, 2024
A guest column by Chris Thornton, district ranger, was published in the Bloomington Herald-Times explaining his proposed decision to move the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project forward
September 12, 2024
Final Environmental Assessment and draft Decision Notice were released for public review and opened a 45-day pre-decisional objection period for those who previously commented on the project.
June 17, 2024
Final Programmatic Agreement (regarding cultural resource surveys for the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project) was finalized.
January 24, 2023
District Ranger Chris Thornton and Climate Adaptation Specialist Todd Ontl discuss the draft environmental assessment for the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project, the need to improve forest diversity and health, and the science behind managing forests for better resilience in a changing climate.
You can listen to the In This Climate Podcast here.
November 17, 2022
A news release was sent to local media informing the public of the release of the draft environmental assessment and 30-day public comment period. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. (EST) December 19, 2022. Regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period.
August, 2022
An update newsletter was published announcing the draft environmental assessment expected release in October, 2022.
April 26, 2022
An informational public meeting was held virtually from 6 to 8 pm. Meeting Recording | Transcript.
Click the link above for the meeting recording, or view the presentations at the links below:
April 22, 2022
Four public field tours were conducted between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Click on the topic below to view the recording:
March 14, 2022
A news release was sent to local media informing the public of the Field Tour, Virtual Public Meeting, online map and draft cultural heritage programmatic agreement.
December 3, 2021
A news release was sent to local media to update the public that the project is now in the analysis stage. A draft environmental assessment is anticipated to be released for public review and comment around April 2022.
October 14, 2021
A public scoping letter and maps were released announcing the initiation of the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project and inviting the public to provide comments on the proposal. The 30-day public scoping period ends November 15, 2021.
May 15, 2021
Preliminary public input was reviewed and a news release was sent to local media explaining the District Ranger’s decision to move forward with a project proposal to meet the desired conditions and implement improvements.
March 03, 2021
An article was published in the Bloomington Herald Times informing the public about the Buffalo Springs Area of Interest and asking for public input.
March 02, 2021
Copies of the newsletter were posted and delivered to public locations (libraries, French Lick Visitor Center, Lost River Market) in Orange and Crawford counties.
February 16, 2021
Specialist videos on current conditions were made available on this webpage.
January 08, 2021
A newsletter with information on current conditions and a call out to the public for information was made available via email and this website. In addition, a news release was sent to local media.
Video Presentations from Our Specialists
Introduction
Chris Thornton - Acting District Ranger
Duration: 00:01:41 | Download the Video (21MB MP4)
Heritage Resources
Tesa Villalobos - Heritage Program Manager
Duration: 00:07:54 | Download the Video (21MB MP4)
Recreation Opportunities
Jeff Fischer - Acting Natural Resource Specialist
Duration: 00:05:55 | Download the Video (28.3MB MP4)
Geologic Hydrologic and Soil Resources
Chad Menke - Hydrologist
Duration: 00:13:35 | Download the Video (81.3MB MP4)
Caves and Karst Resources
Steve Harriss - Brownstown Ranger District Wildlife Biologist
Duration: 00:08:04 | Download the Video (209MB MP4)
Forest Resources
Travis Swaim - Silviculturist
Duration: 00:10:43 | Download the Video (55.8MB MP4)
Botany Resources
Cheryl Coon - Botanist
Duration: 00:09:06 | Download the Video (37.8MB MP4)
Fuel and Fire Conditions
Jeremy Kolaks - Forest Assistant Fire Management Officer
Duration: 00:06:01 | Download the Video (49.8MB MP4)
Wildlife Resources
Richard Winstead - Supervisory Wildlife Biologist
Duration: 00:18:12 | Download the Video (82.5MB MP4)
Fish Resources
Len Kring - Fish Biologist
Duration: 00:10:45 | Download the Video (25.4MB MP4)
Climate Change Effects
Chris Thornton - Climate Change Specialist
Duration: 00:03:02 | Download the Video (22.3MB MP4)