Preparing to begin planning for Escudilla South, located between Luna and Alma, New Mexico

GLENWOOD, NM, December 1, 2023 – The Gila National Forest, Glenwood Ranger District is hosting a public meeting to kick off public participation in the Escudilla South project on Wednesday, December 13 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Glenwood Community Center, located at 21 Mengas Lane in Glenwood, New Mexico. The meeting will begin with a brief presentation, to be followed by break-out to staffed tables for one-on-one question and answer opportunity.

“We are initiating this project to reduce hazardous fuels and break up a continuous tree canopy in order to protect communities, infrastructure, and watersheds at risk from catastrophic wildfire,” said Glenwood District Ranger Brian Stultz. “We are hosting this meeting to kick off public participation in the project and to gather public input on the project area, issues and concerns, and proposed activities.”

Approximately 6,266 acres of the Gila National Forest are proposed for hazardous fuels treatments within a proposed project area that includes approximately 94,000 acres of the Gila National Forest located between Luna and Alma, New Mexico. Additional activities have been proposed for analysis under this project, to enhance recreational infrastructure, rangeland management, and wildlife habitat. The project area extends from the San Francisco Divide and US 180 at the north end to Catron County Roads C009, C033, and C008 at the south end, and from US 180 on the east side to the Arizona State Line on the west side.

The district will be working with a contractor to prepare environmental analysis, which may include a categorical exclusion, an environmental assessment, or both. The proposed timeline suggests that data collection and analysis will occur over the next year or so, and a decision may be reached in fall of 2024. The National Forest Foundation is a partner in support of project implementation once a decision has been signed. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.