Current Issues
September 2007
Forest Service Requests Your Comments on Alternatives for Managing Recreation Uses on the
Upper Chattooga River
For more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/
Please read the letter to USFS from the South Carolina Council linked to the ALERT found
on the CRCTU web site homepage. Also, the information below will assist you in composing
your letter to the USFS.
REMEMBER, THE DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 13, 2007
SEND COMMENTS TO:
comments-southern-francismarion-sumter@fs.fed.us
Or by mail to:
PORJECT COORDINATOR-JOHN CLEEVES
USDA FOREST SERVICE
4931 BROAD RIVER ROAD
COLUMBIA, SC 29212
Helpful information from Doug Adams of Rabun TU
I've had a telephone conversation with the Forest Service lead planner about the details
of some of the alternatives.
He said so far most of the public comments received say simply which alternative a person
supports without giving the reasons. This is not what the Forest Service needs at this
time. We then discussed what kind of public comments would be helpful at this point in the
process.
They want people to comment on what is good and bad on each one of the 6 alternatives.
Keep in mind the protection of the resource values, both the tangible, physical components
as well as intangible, psychological and spiritual components.
Also keep in mind what is best for the Chattooga now and for the long term. Recreation
use trend information suggests that Chattooga use is likely to increase at the rate of
population increases for the region, which may exceed 20% over the next decade.
The Forest Service needs your opinion on how each “Standards/Actions” of each alternative
will effect the Chattooga North Fork environment now and for future generations.
biological (effects on flora and fauna, large woody debris, natural ecological
and biological processes, etc)
physical (parking, trail, campsite, erosion, litter, sanitary, etc)
esthetic values (solitude, remoteness, wildness, protecting endangered experiences,
intangibles, psychological and spiritual components, preserving these values
intact for future generations. etc)
social (law enforcement, interference with activities such as angling, bird watching,
wildlife viewing, wilderness awareness education, encounters, user conflicts,
noise, the proper regard for the rights of others to solitude, etc)
Keep in mind that once an activity is established it is very hard to change it.