Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's announcement this week that an additional $40 million of U.S. Forest Service money would be committed to the fight against the bark beetle infestation came as a relief. The funding will help the Forest Service address forest health issues, as well as public safety concerns of increased wildfire fuel and falling trees in recreational areas.A recent aerial survey by environmental groups, along with National Park Service and Forest Service representatives, reinforced what those who frequent the Shoshone National Forest have seen with their own eyes: The bark beetle infestation of recent years has decimated conifers in the Shoshone and other forests of the Yellowstone ecosystem.According to an Associated Press story, some estimates peg the mortality as high as 70 percent in some forests, with the eastern edge of Yellowstone National Park among the hardest-hit areas. Shoshone Forest personnel say that 600,000 of the forest's 2.4 million acres have been impacted by bark beetles. The Wyoming congressional delegation, along with senators and representatives from other states in the Rocky Mountain region, wrote to Vilsack in November, urging him to pledge more money toward the beetle battle.As Sen. John Barrasso said in a statement after Vilsack's announcement, “Bark beetles continue to claim acre after acre at an alarming rate. The epidemic is devastating our forests, and it creates a wildfire threat to public land users, communities and homeowners. I'm pleased Secretary Vilsack responded to our concerns. Much work remains, but this is a good first step toward healthier forests in Wyoming.”For hunters, campers and everyone who enjoys the forest this should come as welcome news.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's announcement this week that an additional $40 million of U.S. Forest Service money would be committed to the fight against the bark beetle infestation came as a relief. The funding will help the Forest Service address forest health issues, as well as public safety concerns of increased wildfire fuel and falling trees in recreational areas.

A recent aerial survey by environmental groups, along with National Park Service and Forest Service representatives, reinforced what those who frequent the Shoshone National Forest have seen with their own eyes: The bark beetle infestation of recent years has decimated conifers in the Shoshone and other forests of the Yellowstone ecosystem.

According to an Associated Press story, some estimates peg the mortality as high as 70 percent in some forests, with the eastern edge of Yellowstone National Park among the hardest-hit areas.

Shoshone Forest personnel say that 600,000 of the forest's 2.4 million acres have been impacted by bark beetles.

The Wyoming congressional delegation, along with senators and representatives from other states in the Rocky Mountain region, wrote to Vilsack in November, urging him to pledge more money toward the beetle battle.

As Sen. John Barrasso said in a statement after Vilsack's announcement, “Bark beetles continue to claim acre after acre at an alarming rate. The epidemic is devastating our forests, and it creates a wildfire threat to public land users, communities and homeowners. I'm pleased Secretary Vilsack responded to our concerns. Much work remains, but this is a good first step toward healthier forests in Wyoming.”

For hunters, campers and everyone who enjoys the forest this should come as welcome news.