Chattooga Analysis Partial Results Published

The US Forest Service has begun releasing the reports that make up their User Capacity Analysis based on the upper Chattooga.  Several more reports are expected shortly, as well as an overarching report that ties all the individual elements together.  As the reports come in, AW is reviewing them and filing technical comments on them.  the reports and our comments are posted at: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/aw:chattooga_usercapacity

Our initial round of comments are primarily focussed on strengthening the basis for decision making, rather than trying to offer our opinions on future managment.  We are hopeful that the reported $1million price tag on the analysis will not be wasted resources, and that the reports will be strengthened.  

Once all the reports are issued the Forest Service will initiate a several month long decision making process that will include accepting public comments on their analysis and proposed management alternatives.  It is now anticipated by the USFS that a new decision will not be issued until winter, over 6 months late.