Watershed Update, Summer 2004

OVER 100,000 BEETLES RELEASED: BATTLE AGAINST HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID CONTINUES

A tree climber releases Sasajiscymnus tsugae beetles in the top of a huge hemlock.

It was a busy spring season for releasing the Sasajiscymnus tsugae beetle (name change in 3/04) to consume Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) infestations in the Chattooga River watershed. Known as the HWA Biological Control Project, this effort was initiated by the Chattooga Conservancy and includes partners at Clemson University, the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, and the Forest Health Division/US Forest Service. Dr. Hugh Conway, director of Clemson University’s Sasajiscymnus tsugae breeding lab, worked diligently and exceeded expectations by producing over 100,000 beetles, which feed exclusively on adelgid species. During the spring months, the Chattooga Conservancy helped identify adelgid hotspots and release the beneficial beetle in the watershed region, which altogether totaled 49 sites. Meanwhile, a Sasajiscymnus tsugae breeding stock of 5,000 strong is being held at the lab over the summer months to begin next year’s biological control program.

STEKOA GREENWAY INITIATIVE

In Rabun County, interest in conserving green space is growing as more and more people witness the unsightly, sprawling development along highway 441 and in the adjacent Stekoa Creek riparian area. A group of over 50 citizens met recently to discuss creating a greenway along Stekoa Creek, which is a polluted waterway that winds through Clayton while traveling south through the county, finally draining into the Chattooga River. As envisioned, the Stekoa Creek Greenway would—at least—encompass the 50-foot buffer zone parallel to the creek, enhancing the community environmentally, economically, and aesthetically.

Currently, efforts are focused on the relatively unspoiled lands just north of Clayton as a timely place to begin the greenway. Negotiations are underway with landowners, and the new Chick-Fil-A business (under construction) has “welcomed the project to our land.” The Chattooga Conservancy is working with the Friends of the Greenway, and asks community members to learn about and support the Stekoa Creek Greenway project. Please call our office at 782-6097 for more information.

PERMANENT USER FEE BILL IN THE WORKS

Imagine having to purchase a permit to set foot on the national forest to do anything, for the fee of $85 or more plus add on fees for specific activities! If the House Resources Committee in the U.S. Congress has its way, this will soon be a reality. Representative Ralph Regula, who doesn’t have one acre of national forest land in his state of Ohio, claims authorship of H. R. 3283, which would create the “America the Beautiful” pass and implement this ill-conceived legislation to charge us for using our national forests. Mr. Regula is in line to be the chair of the House Appropriations Committee that appropriates money for the Forest Service. He is convinced that this will save tax dollars. Please call the House Resources Committee chair Richard Pombo at 202-225-2761 and tell him that Mr. Regula is wrong! First, the Forest Service has ample funds through existing tax dollars to manage our national forests if they will prioritize serving the owners of the forests instead of subsidizing mining, timber, and recreation industries. User fees are essentially double taxation. Secondly, bureaucrats in the Forest Service will actually spend more collecting fees than they collect. Please call right now!

ATV REGULATIONS THREATEN OUR NATIONAL FORESTS

The Forest Service has just published proposed regulations that would restrict all terrain vehicles (ATV) to designated trails. The Chief of the Forest Service has correctly identified damage from ATV use as one of the greatest threats to water quality and biological diversity on public lands. Their conclusion: restrictions will limit damage. Wrong! These new regulations appear to be just another attempt by the Forest Service to “green wash” a cave-in to ATV enthusiasts and the powerful ATV manufacturers who want more designated trails. Steep terrain with highly erodible soils will not stand ATV use without causing severe erosion, along with noise and air pollution. A better solution would be to beef up law enforcement to stop illegal off-road activities. ATV use on national forests should be limited to street legal use on open Forest Service roads. The decision to designate ATV areas lies in the hands of local district rangers. Call Tallulah District Ranger David Jensen at 706-782-3320, Highlands District Ranger Erin Bronk at 828-526-3765, and Andrew Pickens District Ranger Mike Crane at 864-638-9568, and tell them you are opposed to designating more ATV trails in our national forests.