News of possible campground closures in the Shoshone National Forest comes as a disappointment to local outdoor enthusiasts, area businesses and regional environmental groups.The public may be barred from as many as 27 campgrounds in the Shoshone Forest as the U.S. Forest Service redirects funding to fight the bark beetle infestation. Trail maintenance also may be curtailed as officials consider severe cuts. Budget constraints for the Bighorn National Forest also may result in possible closures and reduced services for visitors.The trimmed budgets are symptoms of forest-killing beetles. Bark beetles have plagued forests in the Rocky Mountain Region, and the Forest Service is committing $49 million to combat the infestation in hard-hit areas in Colorado and southern Wyoming.An aggressive fight against bark beetles in the Rocky Mountain Region is necessary, and the Forest Service is wise to address the worsening epidemic.Yet it's upsetting that, during cutbacks, public access to local forests could be first on the chopping block.In today's economic climate, many grasp the grim realities of trimming budgets. But before cuts are made, the merits of each line item need to be considered — not just dollar amounts.Access to public land remains a valued right for Wyoming residents, and Forest Service officials and Congressional leaders must consider the widespread implications before shutting down local campgrounds.

News of possible campground closures in the Shoshone National Forest comes as a disappointment to local outdoor enthusiasts, area businesses and regional environmental groups.

The public may be barred from as many as 27 campgrounds in the Shoshone Forest as the U.S. Forest Service redirects funding to fight the bark beetle infestation. Trail maintenance also may be curtailed as officials consider severe cuts.

Budget constraints for the Bighorn National Forest also may result in possible closures and reduced services for visitors.

The trimmed budgets are symptoms of forest-killing beetles.

Bark beetles have plagued forests in the Rocky Mountain Region, and the Forest Service is committing $49 million to combat the infestation in hard-hit areas in Colorado and southern Wyoming.

An aggressive fight against bark beetles in the Rocky Mountain Region is necessary, and the Forest Service is wise to address the worsening epidemic.

Yet it's upsetting that, during cutbacks, public access to local forests could be first on the chopping block.

In today's economic climate, many grasp the grim realities of trimming budgets. But before cuts are made, the merits of each line item need to be considered — not just dollar amounts.

Access to public land remains a valued right for Wyoming residents, and Forest Service officials and Congressional leaders must consider the widespread implications before shutting down local campgrounds.