Trying A Merger On For Size?

There may be no decision yet with regard to the proposal to merge the Caribou-Targhee and Bridger-Teton National Forests, but for a second time this year, an interim management arrangement involving the two forests places them under unified supervision.  With the retirement of Intermountain Regional Forester Harv Forsgren, Deputy Forester Marlene Finley will assume the role of Interim Forester, Caribou-Targhee Supervisor Brent Larson will serve as the interim deputy and Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor Jacque Buchanan will serve in that role for both forests.  Bridger-Teton Spokesperson Mary Cernicek says such an arrangement took place last summer.  She says Brent Larson served as the acting supervisor for the two forests while Buchanan was sent on a detail to the regional office.  This sort of temporary assignment, she says typically last only about 120 days. Still, the arrangement allows the Forest Service to see how the two units could operate under joint supervision, and further discussion of the proposed merger is under way today via conference call.  At that time, she says the forests will let the regional office know the progress of the on-site study teams as they examine whether this is something they would recommend to the forest for additional study and possible implementation.  A decision on the proposed merger is not anticipated until after the first of the year.