Action Alert: Forest Service Asks for Public Input on Oconee National Forest Health

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Forest Service Asks for Public Input on Oconee National Forest Health You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom. Please attend the meeting on Friday, or email your comments to the Oconee National Forest In recent years the Oconee National Forest has been plagued by southern pine beetles, drought and storm damage. In an effort to improve the health of the forest the U.S. Forest Service will be holding a meeting near Eatonton, Georgia to gather input from the public about what they would like to see on the Oconee National Forest in terms of providing diverse and healthy ecosystems, providing clean water, and improving wildlife habitat. Their goal is to develop an assessment of the current situation on the Oconee National Forest and to develop plans for improving forest health through future management activities. If you use the Oconee National Forest for hunting, fishing, or any other recreational purpose and if you are concerned about the health of the forest your input is needed. Let the Forest Service know that you would like to see management tools such as prescribed fire which will improve forest health and create habitat for game species. The meeting will focus on forest health and will not include hunting regulations or law enforcement issues. WHEN: Friday, June 13th at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. WHERE: Rock Eagle 4H Center near Eatonton, Georgia If you can attend the meeting, click on the "More" button to print a questionaire to complete and take with you. If you can not attend the meeting, please EDIT the message below to complete the questionaire and email to the Forest Service. IMPORTANT: YOU MUST click on the "edit message" button at the bottom to complete the questionaire. Your message will be sent to each of the following targets: Karen McKenzie A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending. Oconee National Forest Health Survey Place an "x" or type in answer where appropriate. 1) How Did You Hear About This Public Meeting? _____Newspaper _____Letter from the U.S. Forest Service _____U.S. Forest Service Website _____Someone Told Me About It _____Other 2) Would you be interested in going on a field trip to the National Forest? _____Yes _____No 3) Which of the following are you interested in on the Oconee National Forest? Check as many as you wish, please number them in order of importance (1 being most important): _____Providing habitat for all species of wildlife _____Providing habitat for game species of wildlife (such as deer or turkey) _____Protecting water quality _____Protecting the Forest from insect infestations and disease _____Preserving Scenic Areas _____Having a Diverse Forest (variety of ages and types of trees) _____Protecting Adjacent Private Lands from fire or insects _____Other (please specify): 4) What of the following do you feel pose the most serious threat to the Oconee National Forest? Check as many as you wish, please number them in order of importance (1 being most important): _____Insect infestations such as Southern Pine Beetle _____Wildfire _____Development of Adjacent Private Lands _____Competing Demands for Recreation Uses _____Damage from natural events (drought/wind/ice) _____Other (Please specify): 5) What is your primary interest in the Oconee National Forest? ____I hunt or fish on the national forest ____I recreate on the national forest (camping/hiking/etc) ____I live next door to the national forest ____I enjoy the beauty of the national forest ____I like knowing that the national forest provides habitat for wildlife ____I want clean water that comes from the national forest ____Other (please specify): 6) What concerns would you like to see addressed on the Oconee National Forest? 7) Are there locations or situations on the Oconee Ranger District where you have concerns about specific types of project work taking place? If so, please indicate as specifically as possible where the area is located or what the concern is. 8) There are a number of tools that the Forest Service can use to make changes in the forest environment and will lead to a healthier, more resilient timber stand. Please place a check by any of the following methods that you would NOT want to see used on the Oconee National Forest. ____Prescribed burning to reduce wildfire hazard ____Prescribed burning to enhance wildlife habitat ____Thinning trees ____Harvesting timber ____Salvaging timber to address a Southern Pine Beetle outbreak 9) To receive future communications about this effort, please provide your email address below: Your name and address here This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.

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