Tongue District Ranger Updates Steering Committee

The Bighorn National Forest Steering Committee had their annual meeting recently and heard reports from the three district rangers on the forest.

Bighorn National Forest Tongue District Ranger Amy Ormseth gave an update on the district to the committee discussing COVID-19 measures, re-opening the office, and plans for this year in her district.

Ormseth said permits and questions about recreational opportunities have kept the office busy.

Ormseth said although she lost staff to retirement last year, she nearly has a full staff with only one position left to fill.

The mountain lodges in the Tongue District have been closed due to COVID-19, but should reopen shortly.

The Burgess Junction Visitors Center will remain closed until Arrowhead Lodge, who took over operations, is able to get issues related to the virus taken care of and allow them to staff the facility.

Ormseth discussed trails on the forest, saying the Red Grade Trail project is in the final stages to get the permit to Sheridan County.

The Lodge Connector Trail between Elk View and Bear Lodge was completed last year, and she said once signage is installed it will provide a much safer alternative for ATVs in that heavily-used corridor.

We will have more from Tongue District Ranger Amy Ormseth in a future story.