Watershed Update, Summer 2002

OVERFLOW HEADWATERS IN DANGER OF BEING LOGGED

The Tallulah Ranger District is proposing creating early successional habitats (ESH) in three areas of the Chattahoochee National Forest. ESHs are open environments, created by removing up to 80% of the existing tree canopy. One of the three areas being proposed for several “openings” is in a stand of old growth timber near the confluence of Overflow and Clear Creeks. Why has the Tallulah Ranger District proposed to remove some of our oldest trees in the name of wildlife, when so many of our pines are dying as a result of the Southern Pine Beetle, already opening up the forest canopy? This unique area does not need an ESH.

The area around the confluence of Overflow and Clear Creeks was assessed for old growth in 1995 for the Forest Service in the Carlson Report. It was found to contain huge, old yellow poplar, along with white, black, chestnut, northern red and scarlet oaks. One of the oldest black oaks found in the assessment project is in this area along with trees that are over 200 years old. The entire 125-acre area assessed at the junction of Overflow and Clear Creeks is the largest old growth stand found outside of the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area. It is the keystone to what many consider one of our most sensitive and complete ecosystems in the watershed. If you choose one environmental issue to get involved with this year, let this be the one. Write Dave Jensen of the Tallulah Ranger District as soon as possible and let him know that you want to see this area between Overflow and Clear Creeks, and all old growth forests, preserved as an important aspect of the Chattooga River watershed’s native ecosystem.

POWER LINE UPDATE

The Georgia State Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Rabun County versus Georgia Transmission Company (GTC) power line case on September 17th. Attorney Bob Denham will be handling the appeal pro bono for Rabun County, seeking to uphold the county’s moratorium against the construction of a 115KV transmission line.

Recently, the Forest Service released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed transmission line route through the Chattahoochee National Forest. GTC hired a consultant to write the Forest Service’s assessment. The Chattooga Conservancy has two main concerns with the Forest Service process in this issue. First, the Forest Service decided that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would not be performed. The Forest Service claims that no significant impacts to the environment would result from this action. We strongly disagree and feel that a full environmental study is crucial before the Forest Service can make an informed decision. Second, we believe it is a clear conflict of interest for GTC to hire a consultant to conduct an Environmental Assessment for the Forest Service. The Chattooga Conservancy remains firm in challenging the power company’s right to condemn private property, and to use our national forest land for an unwarranted transmission line.

AMENDMENT 14 - RECREATIONAL BOATING AND COMMERCIAL USE ON THE CHATTOOGA WILD AND SCENIC RIVER

The Chattooga Conservancy has recently learned that District Ranger Michael Crane of the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, has issued four “temporary permits” that allow commercial operations to charge a fee for shuttling private boaters to and from the Chattooga River. The 1985 Sumter Forest Plan allows a concession for one such permit, but Ranger Crane has increased the number of permits, and to cater to a mythical increased public demand in order to assuage “suffering customer service.” Outfitters who have this permit and rent boats encourage novice boaters with little or no whitewater experience to place themselves in remote, dangerous circumstances with no professional guidance. Is the Forest Service willing to take responsibility for the safety of these customers?

What can you do? The real issue is plain: the drought has caused a decrease in commercial outfitters’ business over the last four years, and the few individuals that DO make money off of these operations are pushing for concessions. If you would like to comment on this decision which was made without any type of public inquiry, please contact Ranger Crane at 864-638-9568. Tell Mr. Crane that the Chattooga is not a theme park.

Appendix M of the 1985 Sumter Forest Plan, and the Development Plan for the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River both decree that the river will be managed by the Forest Service with adventure and solitude in mind, and that the river will be preserved and protected as a vestige of wild America. Our national treasure must not be managed as a cash cow, by favoring a few venture capitalists over the general public’s right to experience solitude and wilderness.