Back Creek Mountain Timber Sale Begins In Bath County

Warm Springs, VA – Implementation work on the Back Creek Mountain projects began this month. This project will harvest timber on approximately 208 acres in 13 units using shelterwood prescriptions. In addition, the project will thin approximately 42 acres, construct approximately 24 acres of wildlife openings, prescribed burn 2 areas totaling 1,258 acres, and perform stream habitat improvement work in Ford Run, Pole Bar Run and Beaver Run.

The Back Creek Mountain project is located 5 miles northwest of Warm Springs, Virginia. The Back Creek Timber Sale was sold to Augusta Lumber of Augusta County in August, 2011. The Decision Notice for the Back Creek project was signed in March of 2011.

Project proposals for 2012 include Mares Run in Bath County and Tri County in Alleghany. Projects being considered in 2013 are Little Mountain in Bath County, Mad Anne in Alleghany County, Duncan Knob in Bath County, Lime Kiln in Bath County and Brattons Run in Alleghany County.

The release of projects to receive Secure Rural Schools funding has occurred. Bath County was awarded 6 grants totaling over $100,000. The participating agreements to manage these grants are now being prepared. Most of the grant projects are required to be completed this year; the Secure Rural Schools Act returns National Forest revenues to counties for natural resource projects.

The final George Washington Forest Plan is scheduled for release in March of 2012. The comment period for the Draft Forest Plan closed on October 17, 2011. A draft revision of the plan was released in May of 2011. Evaluations, analysis and information discussed at previous meetings are available on our website.