Press release from MountainTrue:
Western North Carolina — Regional conservation group MountainTrue will be hosting a series of Forest Management Plan presentations and comment-writing parties throughout Western North Carolina to help the public prepare and submit more effective public comments in response to the draft forest management plan for the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest. At each event, MountainTrue staff will present our analysis of the draft plan and be on hand to answer questions and help attendees write their comments, if desired.
Brevard Forest Management Comment Party
Ecusta Brewing, 49 Pisgah Hwy #3 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
March 21 from 4-5 p.m.
https://mountaintrue.org/event/brevard-forest-plan-public-comment-presentation-and-happy-hour/
Marshall Forest Management Comment Party
Marshall Container Company, 10 S Main St, Marshall, NC 28753
March 25 from 5:30 -7:30 p.m.
https://mountaintrue.org/event/marshall-forest-plan-public-comment-presentation-and-happy-hour/
Hendersonville Forest Management Plan Comment Party
Sanctuary Brewing Company, 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville, NC 28792
April 1 from 5- 7 p.m.
https://mountaintrue.org/event/hendersonville-forest-management-plan-comment-party/
Morganton Forest Management Plan Comment Party
Fonta Flora Brewery, 317 N Green St., Morganton, NC 28655
April 15 from 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
https://mountaintrue.org/event/morganton-forest-plan-public-comment-party/
Asheville Forest Management Plan Comment Party
The Salvage Station, 466 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28804
April 22 from 5-7:30 p.m.
https://mountaintrue.org/event/asheville-forest-plan-comment-party/
The draft management plan and environmental impact statement for the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests were released in February, and the public has until May 14 to submit public comments. This forest management plan has been in development since 2013, and this is the public’s last significant opportunity to have their say. Anyone can comment and submit as many public comments as they like. So, even if you’ve already submitted a comment, you can attend one of MountainTrue’s parties to learn more and add your additional concerns to the public record.
The Nantahala and Pisgah belong to all of us, and this is the process whereby we, the public, ensure that the Forest Service manages and maintains them according to our values. The management plan determines which areas are protected, which areas will be scheduled for timber projects or managed for restoration, and how projects, like trail building and maintenance, are prioritized.
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