U.S. Forest Service to hold public meetings for Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan throughout March

The U.S. Forest Service is currently revising the master plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The proposed plan and draft environmental impact statement is available online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision for public review and comment. Throughout the month of March, open houses will be held in communities around the forests to give the public an opportunity to talk with planning team members.

Dates and locations for meetings are listed below. At each meeting, an overview of the plan will be presented at 6 pm. The rest of the meeting provides time for people to talk one-on-one with resource specialists. Public comments can later be submitted through our website or by mail so that they can become part of the official record.

The forest plan provides a strategic framework to guide the management of all uses of the national forests, including recreation, timber, water, wilderness, and wildlife habitat. Over the last several years, the U.S. Forest Service developed this plan with the public, local collaboratives, and tribal, state, and county governments. The proposed plan is a product of hearing and incorporating all those voices. The current comment period is an additional opportunity for the public to be part of building a plan that reflects public interests.

Open houses will be held at the following:

* March 10, 5:30-8:30 pm at the Foothills Conference Center, 2128 S. Sterling St., Morganton, NC.

* March 12, 5:30-8:30 pm at the NC Arboretum Education Center, 100 Frederick Law Olmstead Way, Asheville, NC (The Arboretum will be open to attendees as early as 4:30 pm. The parking fee is waived and each attendee will receive a parking pass. Pets are not allowed in the facility.)

* March 16, 5:30-8:30 pm at the Rogow Family Community Room, Brevard Library, 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, NC.

* March 19, 5:30-8:30 pm at the Brasstown Community Center, 255 Settawig Rd., Brasstown, NC.

* March 24, 5:30-8:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church's Tartan Hall, 26 Church Street, Franklin, NC.

* March 26, 5:30-8:30 pm at the Bentley Fellowship Hall, 265 Cascade St, Mars Hill, NC.

* March 31, 5:30-8:30 pm at the Four Square Community Action Center, 196 Knight St., Robbinsville, NC.

To read the plan or submit a comment, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision. The website has additional materials such as a video, reader's guide, and story maps that provide an overview of the plan.



Jeff
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