Hey guys, especially in NC...
I copied a USFS schedule below the dotted line that is a pertainant opportunity to those of us in NC, as to growing/harvesting ginseng. I suspect that the USFS is going to have these in the other states as well, however the dates below are only NC.
It's a chance to make your point about our favorite plant.
==============================================================
Hunters and fishermen should attend the nearest of these open houses to learn what the US Forest Service is proposing in the way of updating their management plan for the National Forests in NC and how it may affect fish and wildlife resources and public use in the future. Go to their website:
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision
to familiarize yourself with the proposals and go to the open house to express your point of view. The new Plan will guide the USFS for the next 15 years in how they manage fish and wildlife resources within the Forest. We need to ensure that they understand that hunters and fishermen support sound management of these resources and ready access to the Forest for hunting and fishing and a diversity of wildlife. If you cannot attend, there is a link below to submit comments. *contact NC Camo if you want talking points or more information.
The US Forest Service is continuing with their land management plan revision process and is holding open houses over the next several weeks. The sporting community input is needed. Also, make sure you let the US Forest Service know what areas of the forest you would like to see managed for your species of interest.
You can really make a difference here for wildlife! You can drop in any time between 4 – 7 pm, submit your ideas and you are done – there is no need to stay for the entire time. Thanks again for your support of wildlife and habitat management on our National Forests!
Open Houses are scheduled at six locations, from 4 PM to 7 PM
For maps to each meeting location visit:
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision
November 18, 2013 - McDowell Technical Community College in Marion, NC. William Harold Smith Building (#19); Room 113
November 19, 2013 - Transylvania County Library in Brevard, NC
December 3, 2013 - Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC – Enlowe Multi-Purpose Room.
December 3, 2013 - Appalachian District Office in Mars Hill, NC
December 5, 2013 - Graham County Community Center in Robbinsville, NC
December 17, 2013 - Nantahala District Office in Franklin, NC
Few key points that NC Camo is focusing on:
1. There is a major need to develop or create a continuous supply of high quality early successional habitat across the forest for both game and nongame species. This is not being done now and many wildlife species are declining. Forest service data indicate that less than one percent of the forest consists of early successional growth. In fact, much of the forest is occupied by eighty to one hundred year old, even age trees. While old, even age forest, is suitable for some wildlife species, it is not suitable for a wide range of wildlife. In order to have diverse wildlife it is absolutely necessary to have diverse habitat. The lack of diverse habitat means that the wildlife currently present in the forest is constrained to that which can survive given the current lack of diversity. The omission of early successional growth excludes a wide variety of wildlife such as edge-dependant species and smaller wildlife.
a. There is a need to set goals for 0-10 year old regenerated (cut) areas and to achieve these goals.
b. There is a need to use timber harvest as the primary tool for habitat creation, although all techniques including fire can be used.
c. There is a need to specifically address how the USFS plans to actually achieve early successional habitat goals and be held accountable.
2. There is a need to include diversity of ages in goals of the revised plan when discussing restoration goals. Healthy forests include a diversity of forest types and ages. Things are way out of balance now.
3. There is a real current lack of managing the forests now in NC for wildlife.
a. Need to manage for wildlife habitats and wildlife must be improved upon.
*if you want more info, again, contact NC Camo.
IMPORTANT! – Let the Forest Service know where you would like to see increased forest management for the game species you like to hunt, watch or just enjoy. This can help tremendously as the plan is developed.
If you cannot attend, you can send need for change statements directly to the Forest Service:
Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
US Mail: National Forests in North Carolina Planning, 160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801
