Forest Service maps out plan of attack on beetles

By The AP
Wednesday, September 8, 2010

DENVER — The U.S. Forest Service will cut more than 14,000 acres of trees near communities and in more than 350 recreation sites as it deals with damage from an insect epidemic that has killed millions of acres of pines in Colorado and Wyoming.

The agency has mapped out the projects in response to questions from U.S. Sen. Mark Udall about how $30 million will be spent on Colorado’s bark beetle problem. The Colorado Democrat said in June that he was worried that the money might not be enough to address the problem.

Doug Young of Udall’s staff says the Forest Service has provided detailed information about where projects are planned.

Udall is sponsoring a bill to provide more help for the infestation.