More Concerns About Forest Merger

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — The Teton County commissioners and the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance are joining those concerned about the possible merger of Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee national forests.Commissioners and alliance members met Thursday in Jackson to discuss the U.S. Forest Service's plan to study the cost-cutting idea.The alliance's executive director, Trevor Stevenson, told the Jackson Hole Daily that merging the two sprawling forests is a bad idea and studying it is a waste of money. He thinks it could be an excuse to move the supervisor's office away from Jackson. The commissioners sent a letter to regional forester Harv Forsgren asking him not to pursue a merger.Forsgren is set to retire Jan. 5. and his replacement hasn't been announced. A decision on the merger is expected by the end of January.