The Flathead National Forest has announced that the comment period for the proposed Forest Plan update and related grizzly management amendments will be open to public comment for an extra 10 days. The deadline for comments is now May 15.

Sharon LaBrecque, acting Flathead Forest supervisor, said the decision to extend the 60-day comment period came after representatives from several conservation groups, including the Swan View Coalition, Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife, requested a 20-day extension. Forest officials opted to extend the comment period by 10 days instead of 20.

“Extending the additional 20 days requested would negatively affect the timelines of the preparation of the draft environment impact statement,” LaBrecque said in a news release.

LaBrecque noted that a 90-day comment period will follow publication of the draft environmental impact statement.

For more information or to view the proposed revision, visit online at www.fs.usda.gov/flathead.