Final decisions signed; sustainable trail work to start on the Upper Chattooga Wild and Scenic River

Beginning in January 2016, forest visitors may notice new signage and trail work at some access sites on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.   These improvements are part of the continuing implementation of the 2012 Chattooga River final decisions.

 

“Boaters, hikers and fisherman alike will now have designated and safe access to this incredible resource” said Nantahala District Ranger, Mike Wilkins. “We are pleased to protect the wild and scenic values of the river while providing sustainable trails, put-ins and take-outs.”

A kayaker paddles the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. Credit: USFS/ David Cohen.

 

Within the river corridor, the agency will implement sustainable river access trails for boaters and other forest visitors at the following locations:

North Carolina: Nantahala Ranger District

• Greens Creek trail (put-in only), construct 0.28 miles of trail with access at the Greens Creek trail and Chattooga intersection.
• County Line trail (put-in and take out), designate and reconstruct 1.2 miles of an old road bed as a trail with access just downstream of Norton Mill Creek.
• Bullpen Bridge (put-in and take out), designate a river put-in less than 100 feet upstream of the bridge and construct and designate a short trail below the bridge.

Georgia: Chattooga River Ranger District

• Burrells Ford Bridge (put-in and take-out), designate and reconstruct about 200 feet of trail, decommission two user-created trails and conduct maintenance work at the parking area to reduce sediment impacts on the river.

South Carolina: Andrew Pickens Ranger District

• Lick Log Creek (take-out only), construct and designate about 500 feet of new trail.

 

Map of final decision at Burrells Ford in Rabun County, Georgia.

 

“Work throughout the river corridor may take several seasons to complete” added Wilkins. “Currently existing interim access points will remain open for use until work at the approved access sites is completed.”

 

The final decisions do not reopen the 2012 final decision allowing boating in the upper segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, and boating in this corridor will still require a permit with regulations in place for seasons and flow. Additionally, all put-ins, take-outs and other access work is strictly limited to National Forest System lands.

 

For specific details on district final decisions, please contact the following individuals:

• North Carolina, Mike Wilkins at (828) 254-6441
• Georgia, Holly Krake at (770) 297-3095
• South Carolina, Gwyn Ingram at (803) 561-4007