Chattooga boating bulletin!

The U.S. Forest Service on December 21 withdrew all three decisions proposing to permit limited boating on the Upper Chattooga River, citing “inconsistencies” the agency had discovered “between various components of the decision documents.” The intention is to conduct “additional analysis” and re-issue decisions “probably in early spring,” according to Liz Agpaoa, regional forester for the USDA Forest Service’s Southern Region.

It is expected that this unusual move also will have the effect of “mooting” a related lawsuit initiated by the American Whitewater lobby and other groups, which had sought to immediately open the entire 21 miles of the Upper Chattooga to unlimited boating.

Click on this link for details of the Forest Service announcement

ForestWatch appeals the Upper Chattooga Boating decision

ForestWatch believes the 30-year boating closure on the Wild & Scenic Upper Chattooga River remains the best option to protect this fragile area and the experience of most people who use it. Therefore, we appealed the U.S. Forest Service decision to open the area to limited boating. And that's not all - click here to learn more.

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Georgia ForestWatch exists to preserve, protect and restore the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. We are the collective voice of hundreds of people just like you, who want to make sure our children’s grandchildren have healthy natural forests to enjoy. Because all citizens own the national forests we have a say in how they are managed, but the pathways to getting heard are complex and difficult to navigate. Georgia ForestWatch has over 23 years experience in navigating the public comment process and bureaucracy of the US Forest Service.

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