Reel Back in Time

Reel Back in Time

Sometimes forgotten is the history of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers and how they influenced not only the economic welfare of the area but the development of recreation activities including sport fishing. This Homeplace 1850s apprentice is an avid sportsman and has added his passion and knowledge of sport fishing to the Homeplace 1850s historical research and program files. Before the impoundment of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, fishing was just as popular and leisurely of a pastime as it is today. Anglers all across the country, especially in the Between the Rivers area, indulged in the challenge of fooling…
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Backcountry Camping has a new name at Land Between the Lakes

Backcountry Camping has a new name at Land Between the Lakes

Dear Campers, You may have noticed a recent name change of your favorite Backcountry Campground on our maps. Here is the reason… In 2000 when the US Forest Service assumed management of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, the decision was made to keep the backcountry permit system for the smaller campgrounds created by the Tennessee Valley Authority. These campgrounds are small and have less amenities than the large, developed campgrounds such as Hillman Ferry, Piney and Wranglers. Since Land Between the Lakes is now part of the National Forest System, the camping areas referred to as “backcountry areas”…
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Fenton Fire 2017

Fenton Fire 2017

A Managed Wildfire Fire at Land Between the Lakes  Update | March 8, 2017 Q: Where is the Fenton Fire? A: The Fenton Fire, caused by a lightning strike, is on Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area south of US68/KY60 near the Fenton Campground and along the Central Hardwoods Scenic Trail. Q: Is the Fenton Fire still active? A: Yes. The rain event did not extinguish the fire completely. There are areas still smoldering. Even with the rain over the last few days, the ground is drying very quickly. This time of year, trees uptake of water increases. Therefore,…
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Birmingham Ferry Decision

Birmingham Ferry Decision

Tina Tilley, Area Supervisor at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, has made a final decision on storm damage in the Birmingham Ferry and Cravens Bay areas. Storm damaged trees within 75 feet of existing roads and recreation infrastructure will be cut and left on the ground. No commercial logging will occur. “This decision is based on relevant science and in collaboration with concerned citizens,” says Tilley. “We will be cutting damaged trees and laying them flat on the ground, improving safety for visitors who use the areas. Once areas within the 75 foot corridor are complete, firewood permits…
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Sustainable Recreation Arrives

Sustainable Recreation Arrives

Dear Friends, Over these past four years we have been adjusting and adapting our programs and services in order to balance our budget as it “down sized.”  We’re in better shape than other Forest Service units because of our prioritizing strategies we worked on together in our 2012 Budget Reduction Open Houses. Today we want to include you in our part of the region-wide effort to achieve sustainable recreation. Sustainable Recreation = Recreation that Lasts Our regional facilities budget has decreased by more than half and our recreation operations budget has gone down by 12 percent since 2012. We are…
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Monitoring Program Update #1

Monitoring Program Update #1

Dear visitors, friends, and stakeholders, The new Forest Service 2012 Planning Rule requires all forests to transition to the new monitoring evaluation program requirements of our fiscal year beginning October 1. As part of this review process we are discussing our monitoring program with members of the public and our stakeholders. Our goal at this step is to develop any needed changes in our monitoring programs to comply with the new planning rule. The new planning rule monitoring requirements cover the following eight areas: Watershed conditions Ecosystems Focal species Federally listed threatened and endangered species, proposed and candidate species, species…
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How Land Management Affects Outdoor Recreation

How Land Management Affects Outdoor Recreation

How are proposed land management practices including logging, expected or anticipated to affect Land Between The Lakes' core mission of environmental education and recreation? Positives and negatives? Summary Timber management activities create opportunities for wildlife viewing. The timber sale activities help with road maintenance, thus allowing for dispersed recreation opportunities such as hunting.  With improved wildlife habitat conditions, the opportunity to utilize environmental education into the role of land management is increased. Restricting or eliminating the use of timber sales as a tool for land management could be perceived as having positive impact on visuals and noise. Why Land Management?…
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Sharing the Credit

Sharing the Credit

Dear visitors, friends, and stakeholders, I appreciate all the recognition lately for the upgrades and maintenance work completed at Land Between The Lakes this past year. However, it’s my staff that plans and prepares for the work to be completed here. Much of the work we plan years in advance while some work results from circumstances like the flooding we are experiencing this month. We complete a lot of work between our seasons from November through February. Some of it initiated by normal wear and tear; others are part of our regular maintenance schedule. Ongoing requirements In order to serve…
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What will be the Advisory Boards role in relation to changes in land management and its effects on recreation and environmental education?

What will be the Advisory Boards role in relation to changes in land management and its effects on recreation and environmental education?

What will be the Advisory Boards role in relation to changes in land management and its effects on recreation and environmental education? Answer: The Advisory Board will be more engaged on advising the Forest Service about the concerns of those individuals that they represent on land management planning. They can inform the Forest Service on who may need to be brought into a discussion concerning proposed management activities and how to better outreach to individuals and groups. Members of the Board can also be a good source for sharing information. The Forest Service is working hard to shift to plain…
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