Forest Service Seeks Public Input on Tough Roads Management Decisions in giles, bland
Forest Service Seeks Public Input on Tough Roads Management Decisions
Release Date: Feb 19, 2013
Contact(s): Barb Walker (540) 552-4641
Forest Service Seeks Public Input on Tough Roads Management Decisions
Blacksburg, VA-The Forest Service is hosting four open houses to discuss the future management of national forest roads on the Eastern Divide Ranger District. The Eastern Divide Ranger District covers Bland, Craig, Giles, Pulaski, Tazewell, and portions of Botetourt, Roanoke, and Wythe counties in Virginia and Monroe County in West Virginia. "Access to the national forests is one of the biggest management challenges we face," says District Ranger Cindy Schiffer.@"As the gap between maintenance costs and available funds continues to widen, more seasonal closures will be necessary and many roads will be maintained to a lower standard than in the past. There are a few roads currently open that are poorly located and costly to maintain that will likely be proposed for closure to vehicle use."@
The open houses are an opportunity to discuss concerns and offer suggestions about specific roads. "There are difficult decisions ahead," contends Schiffer.@Most national forest roads were not designed or built for the amount of use and types of vehicles using them today.@ "I want to discuss the future of our roads with as many local users as I can." Schiffer intends to use information gained from these meetings to develop proposals which standardize winter closures, identify seasonal roads that can open earlier in the fall and specify roads that may be maintained to a lower standard or permanently closed. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals this summer. "We must work together to identify a safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable road system and understand the associated trade-offs."
Open House Schedule:
Thursday, March 7: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Giles County Administration Building
315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA
Monday, March 18: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Bland County School Board Office
361 Bears Trail, Bastian, VA
Thursday, March 21: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Craig County Courthouse
182 Main Street, New Castle, VA
Tuesday, March 26: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Eastern Divide Ranger Station
110 South Park Drive, Blacksburg, VA
For more information about these meetings or exact locations of specific roads, please call the Eastern Divide Ranger District at (540) 552-4641 or (888) 241-6669.