Chattooga Headwaters – Draft EIS to be released soon

The draftEnvironmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the new forest plan that affects the ChattoogaRiver was scheduled to be mailed on February 28. According to Mike Crane,District Ranger of the Andrew Pickens District, the publishing of the DEIS hasbeen delayed in Washington. While information is unclear, itappears the delay shouldn’t be more than a week or so. Interested AW memberswho had their name added to the USFS mailing list for the Forest Plan should bereceiving the document in a week or so. We will also post the DEIS here when itbecomes available.

Two of the alternatives evaluated in the DEIS include boating access on the Chattooga headwatersabove the Highway 28 bridge. One alternative opens the headwaters above Highway28 year round without restriction. Another alternative only opens the riverbelow Burrell’s Ford at certain water levels from December to March. The"preferred alternative" continues the ban on boating above Highway28. This is the first time the USFS has publicly evaluated the closure of theheadwaters, thanks in large part to the many dedicated AW members who submittedcomments to the USFS on Amendment 14 during the past few years.

Following the release of the DEIS there will be a 90 day public comment periodalong with several public meetings.  Itwill take significant boater comment to achieve our goal of year round,unrestricted legal access above Highway 28.

Thisis our big chance to gain legal access to this wonderful whitewater resource.In fact this may be our only chance for the next 10 or 15 years. Once we have receivedand reviewed the DEIS we will post more information so please stay tuned tolearn how best to help!

 

Click hereto read a newspaper article recently published by the Anderson Independent Mail

Here are the dates and times for the Public meetings for the Sumter NationalForest Land and Resource Management Plan Revision. If you are able to attendthese any of these meeting please do so. Visit back here prior to the meetingsfor more analysis once we have received and read the DEIS. All meetings arefrom 3:30 to 8 p.m.

April 8
Clemson Ramada Inn
U.S. 76 and U.S. 123
Clemson

April 10
Clemson Extension Service meeting facility
120 Kirby Street
Union

April 28
Savannah Lakes Resort and Marina
U.S. 378
McCormick

April 29
U.S. Forest Service Headquarters
4931 Broad River Road
Columbia

For more information regarding these meetings you can visit the forest servicewebsite at www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms.