CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — Residents of northwest Nebraska can weigh in on a new plan to manage and improve forests in the area.

The U.S. Forest Service will be collecting public comments on the plan for Dawes County over the next few weeks.

Acting Pine Ridge District Ranger Tim Buskirk says the plan calls for thinning out forested areas south of Chadron, cleaning up dead trees from past wildfires and clearing debris from roads and other areas.

A public meeting is planned for Thursday, June 5, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Forest Service’s Chadron office.