The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comments on a proposal to exchange 104 acres of national-forest lands adjoining Lindner Ranches in Hinsdale and Mineral counties for 160 acres of private lands within the San Juan National Forest boundary within the Silver Creek watershed 2 miles northeast of Rico in Dolores County.

Under the proposed exchange, Robert D. Lindner Ranches would be able to consolidate land ownership adjacent to the Pagosa Ranger District by acquiring national-forest lands intermingled with its private lands near the East Fork of the Piedra River.

The Forest Service’s acquisition of the 160-acre private inholding near Rico would protect the town’s watershed in the Silver Creek drainage, according to Paul Beaber, San Juan National Forest land surveyor.