This news item expired on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Updated on May 4, 2020
Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan revision comment period will be extended. Details coming May 8, 2020. For more information visit the USDA Forest Service.
Updated on March 18, 3:45 p.m.
The U.S. Forest Service in Asheville, which oversees four national forests, including the Pisgah and Nantahala, on March 17 announced that all Nantahala and Pisgah Forest Plan Revision open houses planned for March have been canceled.
From Planning & Development:
The U.S. Forest Service has released a proposed plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The forest plan provides a strategic framework for managing the Forests over the next 10-15 years. The plan includes desired conditions that describe what we want the Forest to be in the future and objectives that describe actions the Forest Service will take.
In addition, the Forest Service is releasing an environmental analysis of four approaches or alternatives we could take to implement the forest plan.
The Forest Service team has worked with diverse members of the public to build a broadly supported and implementable forest plan that will connect people to the land; restore forest resiliency, forest health, and wildlife habitat; provide clean and abundant water; support recreation and local jobs; and provide a platform for working together toward shared goals.
What are the next steps?
With the release of the proposed forest plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the public will have the opportunity to review the documents. This will start a formal 90-day comment period. Public meetings and engagement opportunities will be posted on the website and planned to provide a broad range of opportunities to interact with Forest Service specialists and learn more about the process.
Link to Proposed Plan and EIS is here.
Link to Story Map is here.