For the first time in nearly a decade, increasing costs of production, printing, and distribution are driving the need for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service to increase the price of its maps. Prices of USFS paper and plastic coated maps will increase to $14 on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is covered with three maps: north, central, and south. Maps may be purchased at the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest offices in Dillon, Butte, Wisdom, Philipsburg, and Ennis.
The Forest Service continually updates its maps and looks for ways to enhance maps. The Forest Service expects to shorten the revision cycle as cartographers continue to apply new digital technology to the map revision process.
The Forest Service is also working to increase the availability of digital maps. Digital maps for mobile applications can be downloaded here: http://www.avenza.com/pdf-maps/store. Digital maps cost $4.99 per side.
There are three ways to order maps from the National Forest Map Store (NFMS):
1. Online: www.NationalForestStore.com
2. By phone: (406) 329-3024
3. By US Mail: USDA Forest Service, National Forest Store, P.O. Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807.
In an effort to help offset the pricing increase for volume sales, starting Jan. 1, 2018 discount pricing will be made available on sales of 10 or more of maps of the same title. Discounted maps are only available when purchased through the NFMS.
The U.S. Forest Service is dedicated in researching, producing and distributing informative, accurate maps that can help improve the experience on America’s national forests and grasslands. Additional online resources that may help users enjoy the great outdoors:
The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains world-renowned forestry research and wildland fire management organizations. National forests and grasslands contribute more than $30 billion to the American economy annually and support nearly 360,000 jobs. These lands also provide 30 percent of the nation’s surface drinking water to cities and rural communities; approximately 60 million Americans rely on drinking water that originated from the National Forest System.
