Click here to read Friends of Panthertown Prescribed Burn Response Letter, our official position from 2012 on the scoping proposal by U.S. Forest Service officials to include Panthertown Valley in a 3-5 year prescribed burn rotation plan.
UPDATE: The 2012 public comment period has ended. U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Mike Wilkins indicated he would publish his decision memo during Spring 2013. Please contact the Nantahala District Ranger office at (828) 524-6441 with any questions or concerns.
Deadline for comments from Friends of Panthertown members has been extended to October 6, 2012. Please identify yourself as a member of Friends when sending your specific comments to U.S. Forest Service Nantahala District Ranger Michael Wilkins.
Comments may be sent electronically, in a common digital format, to: comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-nantahala@fs.fed.us. Comments may also be sent by regular mail to: Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin NC 28734 or faxed to 828-369-6592. Please also send a copy of your comments to Friends of Panthertown for our records.
Background links:
USFS: Nantahala National Forest Future Prescribed Burns Scoping Notice
USFS: Blackrock Burn Map
USFS: Little Green Burn Map
9/06/12: Nantahala National Forest – Future Prescribed Burns
9/10/12: Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Panthertown Burn – September 20
9/19/12: Reminder: Annual Meeting Thursday September 20
9/21/12: Prescribed Fire Information
Related comments shared with us from other conservation organizations:
Comments by Hugh Irwin
Landscape Conservation Planner
The Wilderness Society
828-357-5187
www.wilderness.orgWe protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places.
Western North Carolina Alliance
Comments by Josh Kelly
Public Lands Field Biologist
Western North Carolina Alliance
828-258-8737
www.wnca.orgFor almost 30 years, the Western North Carolina Alliance has been a trusted community partner, marshalling grassroots support to keep our forests intact, our air and water clean, and our communities vibrant. The Alliance and its chapters throughout Western NC unleash the power of citizens’ voices to protect the natural heritage of our region to help ensure that people and the environment can thrive.