The GWNF Warm Springs/James River Ranger Districts held the first public meeting to start working collaboratively on a 120,000-acre landscape level planning project in Bath and Allegheny Counties. The project could potentially involve repair of slope failures along Simpson Creek, dam removal to facilitate fish passage in Wilson Creek, timber management, road management (improvements and potential decommissioning), development of wildlife clearings and waterholes, control of invasive plants, prescribed burning, and trail improvements near Douthat State Park. The meeting was attended by landowners, game managers, hunting organizations, members of the Cowpasture River Preservation Association, and the Virginia WIlderness Committee.
District Ranger Pat Sheridan said that participants in this process will help determine which management activities will be proposed formally by the GWNF. Management activities that come out of this collaborative process could include a recommendation for expansion of Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness areas.
Seeking collaborative input from the public on a large landscape level is a new approach the GWNF is trying. Their hope is that this new process that engages stakeholders early on will be more efficient and effective in making projects happen on the ground.
District Ranger Pat Sheridan said that participants in this process will help determine which management activities will be proposed formally by the GWNF. Management activities that come out of this collaborative process could include a recommendation for expansion of Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wilderness areas.
Seeking collaborative input from the public on a large landscape level is a new approach the GWNF is trying. Their hope is that this new process that engages stakeholders early on will be more efficient and effective in making projects happen on the ground.
RSS Feed