The public comment period is underway for drafts of the Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan and environmental impact statement. The plan is a strategic framework for how the over 1 million acres of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests will be managed for the next 10 to 15 years. Michelle Aldrige is the team lead for the forest plan revision and says this is the first time that there has been this much public involvement in the planning process.
“That’s how it should be,” says Aldrige. These are lands that belong to the American people. So we hope people will take this opportunity with the 90-day comment period to let us know as we move toward a final plan if we got it right or if there are things that need to be adjusted.”
The comment period goes through May 14, 2020. There will also be public meetings scheduled. The drafts are available online. The formal comment period ends on May 14, 2020. Public comments are most helpful when they include detailed information about specific places and uses of the forest.
Public meetings will be held at the dates and locations below for participants to talk with planning team members. Additional public meetings are being scheduled across the forests.
- March 10, 5:30-8:30pm at the Foothills Conference Center, 2128 S. Sterling St., Morganton, NC.
- March 16, 5:30-8:30pm at the Rogow Family Community Room, Brevard Library, 212 S Gaston St, Brevard, NC.
- March 19, 5:30-8:30pm at the Brasstown Community Center, 255 Settawig Rd, Brasstown, NC.
- March 24, 5:30-8:30pm at First Presbyterian Church’s Tartan Hall, 26 Church Street, Franklin NC.
