This Land, Your Land

The U.S. Forest Service has suspended a decision to allow kayaking on the upper Chatooga River, a wild and scenic river in North and South Carolina and Georgia, the Anderson Independent-Mail says.

In August, the Forest Service decided to allow kayakers on the river between December 1 and March 1 from Norton Mill Creek in North Carolina south to Burrells Ford Bridge in South Carolina, about a seven-mile stretch. Five parties, including Georgia Forest Watch, appealed the decision, and The Southern Region of the Forest Service granted the request for a stay on October 26.

“Everyone should understand that this administrative battle over these 21 miles of wild, backcountry river is far from over,” leaders of Georgia Forest Watch said in a release. “... Georgia Forest Watch steadfastly has stuck to the position that the agency should continue its 30-plus-year prohibition on boating in this pristine area of national forest lands.”

American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Atlanta Whitewater Club, Georgia Canoeing Association, and Western Carolina Paddlers had all filed lawsuits on behalf of their members to have Georgia Forest Watch’s request denied.

The river is designated as the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River and is managed by the Forest Service. The service took two years to analyze uses of the river and received more than 3,000 comments during a 45-day public comment period before announcing its August decision, the Independent-Mail says.