Officials work on George Washington Forest plan

Written by Associated Press

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

U.S. Forest Service officials are seeking public input on a new management plan for the George Washington National Forest.

The revised blueprint will guide how the 1.1 million-acre forest is used for the next 15 years. It will address logging and other commercial uses, recreation, road and trail building, drinking-water protection and preservation of the forest's more pristine areas.

Five public hearings are scheduled for April, and people can submit written comments during a 60-day public-comment period.

Among the items under consideration are expanding roadless areas, increasing timber harvesting, creating more special areas to protect ecologically sensitive species, increasing controlled burns and dropping a plan for a new all-terrain vehicle trail near Archer Run.

Source: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=600&sid=1918123

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