Chattooga River boater access to upper sections

[okieboater]

Please go to the Links in this letter to actually read what is going on.

This is important stuff for boaters. AW is working hard to get year around access to the upper Chattooga River and so far is getting a lot of opposition from the rangers. Since I grew up in the area around this river, me and some buds ran these sections decades ago back when very few ever went that high. It is a neat run, not as exciting as section 3 or 4 but still very enjoyable.

I got this as a email and do not have much information past what you can get from the links below. I believe we need to get behind AW's effort to get access year around and let the rangers know our feelings.

dave reid

Logo Department Name Agency Organization Organization Address Information
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest
Service
Francis Marion and Sumter National
Forests
Andrew Pickens Ranger District
112 Andrew Pickens Circle
Mountain Rest, SC 29664
864-638-9568
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper
File Code: 1950
Date: May 26, 2015
Dear Interested Party:
The District Rangers for the: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Chattooga River Ranger
District, Georgia; Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District, North Carolina and
Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District, South Carolina are issuing Draft
Decision Notices and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Chattooga River Boating
Access Environmental Assessment (EA).
Electronic copies of the Draft Decision Notices and EA are available for review at the following
two web sites:
Planning Appeals and Litigation Website
http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=42568" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest Website
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/scnfs ... width=full" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Paper copies of the environmental assessment and Draft Decision Notices are also available by
contacting one of the district offices listed below.
The projects are activities implementing a land management plan and are subject to the predecisional objection process at 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. A written objection, including
attachments, must be postmarked or received within 45 days after the date that notice of the draft
decision is published in the paper of record for the appropriate ranger district office. The
publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for
calculating the time to file an objection [see 218.26(a) and 218.32(a)], and those wishing to
object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written
comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for
public comment in accordance with 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on
previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless
based on new information arising after designated opportunities for public comment.
Specific objection filing information is included in the Draft Decision Notices and in the
Legal Notices.
For further information contact:
Jennifer Barnhart, Acting District Ranger
Andrew Pickens Ranger District
Sumter National Forest
112 Andrew Pickens Circle
Mountain Rest, SC 29664
Telephone: (864) 638-9568
FAX: (864) 638-2659
Edward Hunter, District Ranger
Chattooga River Ranger District
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
9975 Highway 441 South
Lakemont, GA 30552
Telephone: (706)754-6221
FAX: (706)754-1021
Mike Wilkins, District Ranger
Nantahala Ranger District
Nantahala National Forest
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 228734
Telephone: (828) 524-6441
FAX (828) 369-6592
Sincerely,
/s/ Jennifer Barnhart
JENNIFER BARNHART
Acting District Ranger