Forest Service Open House to Discuss Projects in Highland, Bath and Alleghany Counties   Hot Springs, VA (Oct. 4, 2019) - The USDA Forest Service invites you to attend an open house to discuss proposed and upcoming projects in Highland, Bath and Alleghany Counties on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Drop in anytime between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 29th, 2019, at the Alleghany County Building, 9212 Winterberry Avenue, Covington, Virginia. A short presentation will begin at 3:00 p.m. The district ranger and staff will be on hand to answer questions. Maps and project information will be available. We will discuss projects that are in different phases in the planning process. Projects range from habitat improvement projects that include activities such as controlled burning and timber harvesting, wildlife habitat, road maintenance and reconstruction, to recreation focused projects including trail management, the Eastern National Children’s Forest, and sustainable recreation projects, among others. Proposed prescribe burning projects will include cross-jurisdiction projects with state agencies and with our neighbors in West Virginia. The planning process for some projects is complete, and we will begin implementing these projects this year. Other projects are still in the proposal form, and we are interested in hearing your input. You can also learn more about each of the projects by visiting the project page of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/gwj/landmanagement/projects. Projects in Bath County include the Lower Cowpasture Restoration Project, Simpson Creek Project, Duncan Knob Gypsy Moth Project, Hidden Valley Restoration Project and the Border Project in cooperation with the Monongahela National Forest, as well as recreation projects in the Hidden Valley Recreation Area, Poor Farm Recreation Area, and Bolar Mountain. Projects in Alleghany County include the Grizzled Skipper Habitat Restoration Project, the Peter Potts and Dunlap Restoration Project, and recreation projects in the Longdale Recreation Area and Children’s Forest. Projects in Highland County include the Laurel Fork project. “I hope interested community members will come out to learn about the work that will be going on in the forest this year and ask questions or share any concerns they may have about the upcoming and proposed projects,” says James River and Warm Springs District Ranger Elizabeth McNichols. For additional information, please contact the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District offices at (540) 839-2521.

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