What land management practices do you anticipate suspending in light of public concerns? Pisgah Project? How long will these practices be suspended?
The Pisgah Bay project has been cancelled as proposed. The Forest Service will be moving forward with public involvement on some of the infrastructure related projects within the proposal. Some of the projects being considered include:
- Replacing culverts, while improving conditions on approximately 31.7 miles of Forest Service roads;
- Rerouting of approximately 2.7 miles of the North/South Trail to stop degradation of the landscape; and
- Incorporating road access to a backcountry campsite area.
Currently there are two timber sales – Old Ferry Road and Paradise – that have already been sold and will continue. Buffers have been placed along the Trace to address visual concerns that were brought up by members of the public.
Three other areas have been marked ready for sale, 2 in Kentucky and 1 in Tennessee. These have not been sold. The public will be engaged before these areas are proposed to be sold. They will not be offered for sale this Fiscal Year (through the end of September). It is more important right now to engage the public about management of the area for the long term.
New projects that are proposed will more fully involve the public. There will be an opportunity to share information prior to a proposal being developed. This will allow the Forest Service to create a proposal that is more aligned with the users of the area.
