This Land, Your Land

The latest plan from the U.S. Forest Service for boating on the Chatooga River would allow "high-quality" whitewater rafting in the winter but keep the National Wild and Scenic River clear of watercraft the rest of the year.

Last week, the Forest Service released an environmental assessment on managing recreation uses on the upper segment of the Chattooga, which partly lies in southwest North Carolina, for 30-day public review.

The Forest Service had previously proposed allowing boating on the upper portion of the river, but withdrew that idea in December 2009 under fire from conservation groups.

The new approach prohibits commercial boating on the upper river and boating in the tributaries.

The plan also calls for the three national forests that manage the Chattooga River — the Sumter in South Carolina, the Nantahala in North Carolina and the Chattahoochee in Georgia — to improve campsites and trails. It's also meant to protect fishing by prohibiting the cutting of large woody debris that provides vital habitat for the native brook trout and other aquatic species, a news release says.

The federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act declares that selected rivers that have remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or similar values shall be preserved as free-flowing and protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. There are five National Wild and Scenic Rivers in North Carolina.

Comments about the environmental assessment plan for the Upper Chatooga River (available here) can be e-mailed by August 15 to: comments-southern-francismarion-sumter@fs.fed.us. Hard copy letters can be mailed to: Comments on the Upper Chattooga EA, c/o USDA Forest Service Supervisor’s Office, 4931 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29212.