FOREST MEETING

Shawnee National Forest officials will hold a public informational meeting at the Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau June 26 to discuss the proposed amendment to the forest's land and resource management plan.

"We want people to have all the information they need for understanding forest management," said Rodney K. Sallee, supervisor of the Shawnee National Forest. "We want people to provide us with written comments which will help us decide on a final, revised forest plan."

The Forest Service started preparing the amended plan two years ago. It addresses several issues, including biological diversity, forest fragmentation, hardwood and below-cost timer sales, wild and scenic rivers, oil and gas exploration and tourism and economic development.

The deadlines for written comments will be Aug. 15.

Forest officials will hold an open house Monday at the Jonesboro Ranger District Office, 521 N. Main, Jonesboro, Ill., from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and will present an informational meeting at the Sunshine Inn Community Center in Anna, July 2, from 7 to 9 p.m.