Here’s the press release from the U.S. Forest Service:
FRANKLIN, N.C., June 27, 2014 – The U.S. Forest Service today announced that local residents can purchase permits to gather firewood July 1-25 near Howard Gap Road in the Nantahala Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest.
Howard Gap Road (Forest Service Road 4503), off State Road 106 just north of the Georgia state line, currently has a fair amount of downed wood as a result of stand improvement activities.
To harvest firewood from the Nantahala Ranger District, residents must first purchase a firewood removal permit at the Nantahala Ranger Station office, 90 Sloan Road in Franklin. A permit costs $20.00 for approximately four cords of firewood. A permit holder may take a maximum of 16 cords (or four permits) of firewood in a calendar year.
Firewood may not be harvested in wilderness areas, active timber sale areas, campgrounds and day-use areas. Permit holders are limited to harvesting dead and down trees; standing trees (live or dead) may not be cut. Firewood permits must be in the permit holder’s possession while harvesting and transporting products. Permit sales by the Nantahala Ranger District are final and cannot be refunded or transferred. Firewood harvested under these permits is for personal use only and may not be resold.
The Forest Service encourages people to be mindful of their surroundings and road traffic when collecting firewood. All slash must be removed from roadways and ditch lines. Permit holders should use extreme caution and practice all appropriate safety measures when harvesting firewood.
Permits are available week days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the ranger station. For more information, contact the Nantahala Ranger District office at 828-524-6441.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.