Nat'l Forest Feedback -

[Coach K]

Dear Interested Stakeholder,
The Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is seeking comments on a proposal to create approximately 183 total acres of early-successional habitat across the district, including areas within the Coopers Creek and Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Areas, through commercial and non-commercial means.

The proposed project documents (scoping letter and maps) are available on the Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60330. Additional information regarding this project can be obtained from: David Vinson, Zone Wildlife Biologist at 706-754-6221, extension 132.

How to Provide Comments:

We are requesting your comments on this proposal. We may use your comments to modify the specific methods described in this proposed action. Please be as specific as possible when responding. Comments received, including names, become part of the project record and are available for public review. We would appreciate receiving your comments on this project by July 21, 2021.

You may send your comments and suggestions as follows:
Comment Format
Contact Information
Hard Copy Letter
Blue Ridge Ranger District
Attn: Early Successional Habitat Creation Project
2042 515 West
Blairsville, GA 30512
E-mail
SM.FS.blueridge@usda.gov
Phone
David Vinson
706-754-6221 x132
Fax
706-745-7494

Thank you for your interest in the management of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.

 

[Coach K]

183 Acres - They're really getting it done, eh?
Grouse are just going to be popping out from every where with that many acres of young forest.

 

[coachdoug87]

Thanks Coach, I will contact them.

 

[coachdoug87]

I don't see how that few acres can help, but I guess anything beats nothing.

 

[Rebel's Dad]

Everyone here should respond and comment positively on this project. People like David Vinson are fighting an uphill battle against a lot of money and organized effort on the part of preservationists like Forest Watch. The amount of work they go through to get a project like this approved is staggering. The last RGS habitat project in north Georgia took SEVEN years of prep work and negotiation before the first bit of work was done.

The preservationists get a lot more participation in responding to these things than people who wish to see the more varied habitat like ESH. Until that changes people like David are alone in the wilderness fighting the good fight and they deserve every bit of support we can give them. They are becoming more and more rare in the Forest Service.

Whining about the size of the work does nothing but discourage people from participating.

A short note stating that you are in support of the project is all that's really needed. It wouldn't hurt to point out that this and more projects like it are needed to get to the amount of ESH the Forest Services calls for in its plan for the CNF. The CNF is nowhere near the amount of ESH specified in the plan.

 

[coachdoug87]

As I said. Anything beats nothing.

 

[aabradley82]

Clear 1/3 this year. 10 years clear the next third. 10 years clear the final 3rd. Repeat. They’ll be more game in the mountains than anywhere

 

[35 Whelen]

Done.

 

[HuntJS]

Done

 

[longrangedog]

E mailed my support for the project.

 

[sasmojoe]

Done

 

[ucfireman]

Sent an email.
It may not be a lot but it starts somewhere.
As the saying, even the mighty oak starts as an acorn.
Lets support this.

 

[coachdoug87]

I sent an email and left a voice message. I am glad they are trying. I wish the general public had a better understanding of how much these type projects are needed. It is not just grouse, but a huge number of game and non -game species. If people don't hunt, but enjoy songbirds, butterflies or anything else they should support this. Also, pollinators benefit. There are a lot of well meaning people who don't understand that uninterrupted mature forest is not a good thing.

 

[Rebel's Dad]

Just a reminder that this Wednesday (7-21-21) is the last day comments will be accepted.