The Lower Cowpasture proposed action is released to the public

The proposed action alternative for the Lower Cowpasture Restoration Project was released for public comment on July 14, 2014.  This begins the environmental analysis which will result in a decision notice in March of 2015.  The purpose of this effort is to identify projects that can advance the natural resource goals for the area.  The project area encompasses approximatley 100,000 acres of the eastern portions of Alleghany and Bath counties.

The proposed action includes: 3,705 acres of timber managment, 322 acres of permanent wildlife openings, 24 waterholes, 12,907 acres of prescribed burning, slope stabilization on Simpson Creek, 15 aquatic passage projects, 280 acres of invasive specie control, 17 miles of new trail construction, road reconstruction in Lime Kiln, American Chestnut plantings and stabilization of the historic Wilson Creek dam.

An average of 40-50 interested publics have been participating in the process which began in March of 2013.  The next public meeting in November 3, 2014 at Millboro Elementary School.

The western fire season has increased in recent weeks.  August is the most active month with respect to the number of fires and acres burned.  Firefighters from the Warm Springs and James River Ranger Districts are now taking fire assignments and heading west.  Locally, our summer fire season is below normal.  Long range forecasts predict normal wildfire activity for the fall fire season in Virginia and West Virginia.