Kurtz fills in as Interim Ranger

Lincoln Ranger District Fire Management Officer Jarel Kurtz is slated to take over as interim district ranger Feb. 25 while Michael Stansberry is on a four-month temporary duty assignment to fill in for Dan Dallas, the Forest Supervisor of the Rio Grande Forest in Colorado.

Stansberry recommended Kurtz for the role after the government shutdown changed plans for the person originally slated to fill in as district ranger.

Stansberry said the change should be beneficial for the Lincoln Ranger"

"Having somebody who's familiar with the community, has engaged with the community, who understands better than somebody coming in from the outside, will be able to help us carry on these projects we have already instituted," Stansberry said. "Somebody new to the community and trying to develop those relationships, its harder. It certainly puts them at a disadvantage knowing in a short while they'll be returning to their normal job."

Stansberry said he advocated of Kurtz due to his leadership he's shown in both the fire realm and in the community. Likewise, as district FMO since 2014, he's up to speed on the various ongoing projects and planning efforts on the District.

"What is cool about this district is that all of us work together on all these projects. It doesn't matter if you're in wildlife or you're in fire, we're all sitting at the table together to understand the plan," Stansberry said.

Such understanding may prove useful in the coming months as the Stonewall Vegetation Project's Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement progresses through an extended comment period.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest released the supplemental EIS at the end of November in response to changes in the project area resulting from the 2017 Park Creek Fire. the comment period was scheduled to close Jan 14, but due to the shutdown, Stansberry said they plan to extend it another 20 days. He said the dates of that extension are expected to be released soon.