Lower Cowpasture River Project progressing

July 15, 2013  GWNF Warm Springs District Ranger Pat Sheridan held another meeting at Millboro Springs to involve the public in planning a large landscape level project for 100,000 acres on the Lower Cowpasture River.  Representatives from the Cowpasture River Preservation Association, Quality Deer Management Association, Virginia Wilderness Committee, Mead Westvaco, Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries, The Nature Conservancy, and other diverse interests looked at maps that showed  potential activities, including stream restoration on Wilson Creek, trail improvements (possible new trails in Rich Hole and Rough Mountain Wildernesses), wildlife management by harvesting timber and prescribed burning, and expanding Rough Mountain and Rich Hole Wildernesses.  As folks sat around a circle and gave feedback and suggestions to Pat Sheridan, there seemed to be a great deal of agreement that the project is moving forward in a positive way and meeting diverse goals.  Participants made substantive suggestions to improve on-the-ground outcomes.  Pat Sheridan is holding a public field trip on August 8 and another public meeting on September 16.