District Ranger Update for July 2019 part 1
Hello, and welcome to your District Ranger update July 2019.
This is Elizabeth McNichols, from the Warm Springs and James River districts of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you each month.
Safety Message of the Day-
There are so many summer water activities on the national Forest to enjoy including boating on Lake Moomaw and floating and kayaking on the Jackson River and the Cowpasture River using the public access sites.
Here are a few safe boating tips while you are enjoying the outdoors.
-Did you know that beginning July 1, 2016, all motorboat operators of 10 hp or greater, regardless of age, and all personal watercraft or PWC operators 14 years or older must take a boating safety course? No one under the age of 14 may operate a personal watercraft.
-Do you paddle a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard? Take an on-water safety course. An instruction course provides the information you need for canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), rafting and safety and rescue.
-Do you wear your life jacket? Expect the unexpected. You may capsize and swim occasionally especially when paddling a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or raft. Children under 16 and all watersports riders should wear a life jacket on the water.
-Do you recreate in cold water? Cold water is extremely dangerous. Learn more about protecting yourself in this environment.
-Do you know the Nautical Rules of the Road? Maintain a proper lookout and be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids. They are placed to ensure your safety and the safety of the boats around you.
-Do you know where you are at all times in case of an emergency? Be sure to leave notice of your location before you leave home.
-Have you checked the weather? Check local, route, and destination weather and water conditions before departure and ensure it is safe to go out.
-Do you have a pre-departure checklist? Utilizing a pre-departure checklist is a helpful way to check the boat and ensure the proper gear is onboard.
Have a safe and fun day on the water.
District News-
Recreation is in full swing and all our recreation areas are open for the summer. You will see many Forest Service employees out in the field creating wildlife habitats, maintaining recreation sites, maintaining trails, layer out timber sales, administrating timber contracts, reparing roads, removing non-native invasive species, and performing botanical, forestry, and wetland surveys. If you have an questions about our summer projects, be sure to call our office at 540-839-2521.
For Allegheny Mountain radio, this is Elizabeth McNichols.
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