Joe Luck, a Casper, Wyoming member and I have met several times in 2007 with the Brush Creek-Hayden District staff of the Medicine Bow National Forest concerning renovation of both the Kennady Peak Lookout and the Blackhall Mountain Lookout. These lookouts are in fair shape but need upgrading before being put into a rental program. Kennady Peak has been used until about two years ago as both a visitor center and an active fire lookout staffed by a paid Forest Service employee.

Blackhall Lookout has not been used for many years. The Forest Service appears to be amenable to our bringing these two lookouts up to standard. One concern they have had is properly grounding both of these lookouts. The Forest Service officer we have been working with asked us to research proper grounding methods, since they did not seem to have specifications. Gary Weber was able to forward to us a copy of the Forest Service Lightning Protection Handbook. Joe Luck intends to bring a group of Boy Scouts from Casper to assist with the work once we have details worked out with the Forest Service.

Hopefully, we will make progress on this in 2008.

Pat Lynch