Road System Study set to begin on the Chattahoochee National Forest

I received a link to this last week.  Somehow I missed hearing about this, so I owe Nathan a big 'Thank You' for emailing me and letting me know.  Anyone interested in traveling on roads in the Chattahoochee National Forest should give this a look and express your interest that roads remain open.  This Road Study needs your input by April 13th.

I strongly encourage you to learn more by visiting the main Public Input page here:  Forest Service Seeks Your Input 

The Comment Form may be accessed directly here:  Chattahoochee National Forest Public Input

The site text is as follows

The Forest Service is committed to balancing your needs for access to the Chattahoochee National Forest with our responsibility to sustain a productive, diverse and healthy forest. As part of this commitment, we must address crucial concerns about the future sustainability of the national forest road system. The three Ranger Districts that make up the Chattahoochee National Forest are beginning a study of the road system, and we need your input.


This transportation study will help us find a way to use our limited resources to balance the needs for access to the forest with the protection of clean water and a healthy forest. The transportation study is not a proposal or decision, but is intended to help guide us in planning future road management.

The number of overdue road maintenance projects continues to grow, while public use of our roads is increasing. Roads that cannot be adequately maintained can be dangerous to visitors and threaten forest health. They can increase sedimentation into rivers and streams, degrading water quality and impacting fish and wildlife.

Possible options that may be considered for each road include:

Maintaining at the current standard

Changing the level of maintenance (ex., from passenger car to high-clearance vehicle)

Adding seasonal restrictions

Implementing year-long closures

Decommissioning

We need to hear from you by April 13

We want to learn from you which roads are important to you and why. We will consider your input along with other factors including management access needs, benefits, risks and costs. Before any actions are taken we will provide more opportunities for you to participate in the decision making process.

Use our online comment form to view maps and provide your input to us. You may also find hardcopy planning maps and comment forms at the local Ranger District and Forest Supervisor's offices. We will consider all comments received before April 13, after which the official comment period for this first phase of the study will close. Your input is very valuable to us, and we thank you in advance for your time and thoughtful comments.

Let's all provide thoughtful, useful comments to the USDA/Forest Service regarding the roads in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Thanks!