USFS seeks input on use of Panthertown

Crossroads Chronicle photo/J. Daniels. Bill Jacobs, an attendee at the March 18 Panthertown meeting in Cashiers, addresses his concerns: "Llama trekking, mountain biking, horse usage, hiking ... We have a fairly diverse view of the interest in Panthertown."

The Nantahala Ranger District proposes to make several changes affecting recreational use in Panthertown Valley.

Designated as the Elspeth and James McClure Clarke Forest, the Valley is a 6,300-acre backcountry area in the Nantahala National Forest located two miles east of Cashiers in Jackson County. It includes part of the Bonas Defeat tract, which lies between Panthertown and the Tuckasegee River.

The Friends of Panthertown held a meeting on Tuesday, March 18, at the Cashiers Library to inform the public about changes proposed by the Forest Service.

Jeff Owenby, from the Nantahala Ranger District, presented the proposed plans and answered the questions of approximately 50 concerned citizens. According to the USFS, these changes are needed to protect sensitive habitat areas and provide a quality backcountry recreation experience for forest users visiting Panthertown Valley.

The Friends of Panthertown, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, formed a partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) in a collaborative effort to protect habitats, improve trails, and educate the public on conservation and environmental issues.

The USFS is increasingly reliant on collaborative efforts to improve maintenance and services, as National Forest budgets and staff have been reduced in recent years. Therefore, the mission of the Friends of Panthertown is to assist the Forest Service in providing quality recreational opportunities and managing the area's outstanding resources by providing funding and volunteers for conservation projects.

This proposal builds upon the Panthertown Trail Project, which was originally sent out for public comments in November 2003, followed by a public meeting in December 2003.

"Many respondents to the 2003 scoping/meetings expressed concerns that Panthertown was 'being loved to death' and as a result we are proposing to establish regulations that will protect resources in Panthertown Valley," said Jeff Owenby, from the Nantahala Ranger District.

The three regulations proposed are:

No camping within 50 feet of streams or rivers within Panthertown Valley

No commercial equestrian or mountain bike Outfitter/Guide permits will be issued within Panthertown Valley

Commercial and organized groups campsites are limited to no more than 12 persons

In addition, to these new regulations, the Forest Service is also proposing to designate trails according to appropriate recreational use(s).

"The feedback we've received from forest users in combination with recent trail-condition surveys has led us to make recommendations based on USFS trail standards, optimum trail locations, and level of acceptable use for trails," Owenby said. In the future, trails be classified as 'hiking only,' 'horse and hiking,' 'mountain bikes and hiking,' or 'multiple-use' (hiking, mountain biking and horses).

"This could come as quite a shock to some people who've been used to riding their bikes or horses on certain trails that are now off-limits," Elliott said.

The official USFS map which will be completed in several months will assign a name for each trail, color-coded to represent its specific recreational designation. In addition, all trails authorized by the USFS will be marked with signs, blazes, or a combination of both.

All designated roads within the Panthertown Valley are considered 'closed system,' which means hiking, horses and mountain bikes are permitted. Many roads shown on the maps were reserved for administrative purposes by Duke Power when the property was sold to the Forest Service. While Duke Power has retained the rights to improve and maintain these roads, some are currently used as trails and will be maintained up to trail standards versus road standards.

Existing trails not shown on the map will be considered 'non-system' (i.e. won't be included in the official USFS trail system). These trails will closed and allowed to naturalize over time, correcting erosion problems where needed. Any trail that does not meet USFS trail standards, is not properly maintained or exhibits excessive resource damage will be subject to reclassification or closure.

"According the scoping proposal, several popular trails exhibit sub-standard conditions, but could be added to the designated system if or when resource mitigation is accomplished," Elliott said. "The Friends of Panthertown have the opportunity to improve these trails so that they can be added to the official USFS trail system. We have a lot of work to do. We need additional funding and volunteers to improve these trails and keep them maintained according to Forest Service trail standards."

If funding can be secured and the required documentation can be completed, the Forest Service plans to enhance the existing parking situation without dramatically increasing the size of parking areas. According to the plans, the existing parking lot at Salt Rock Gap would be relocated approximately 500 feet north of the present location to move parking off private-property and National Forest lands. Construction of a new Salt Rock Gap parking area would accommodate 15-20 vehicles, accessed from the gravel road by a short road spur. In addition, the parking lot at Cold Mountain would be redesigned to accommodate five to 10 vehicles and a new parking area would be constructed off Flat Creek Road (Forest Road #4662) on the north side of Panthertown. This small parking area would be designed for five to 10 vehicles with trailer capability.

The "Panthertown Trails Designation Scoping Notice" and the "Panthertown Valley Proposed Trail Designation Map" are posted online on the National Forests in North Carolina website. Go to http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/nepa.htm and follow the "Panthertown Project" link.

Public comments will be used to refine this proposal and develop a range of action alternatives. Comments about this proposal must be postmarked or received before April 19th.

There are several ways you can be involved in this process:

Comments may be mailed electronically, in a common digital format, to comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-wayah@fs.fed.us

Comments may be mailed; hand delivered, or called in to: District Ranger, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, fax (828) 369-6592, phone (828) 524-6441. Oral or hand delivered comments must be delivered Monday through Friday between 8:00 and 4:30.

Include the following information when you submit your comment:

Your name and address (phone number is optional).

Title of the Proposed Action (in this case "Panthertown Trail Project")

Specific substantive comments on the proposed action, along with supporting reasons that the Responsible Official should consider in reaching a decision.

If you have any questions, would like additional information, or would like to discuss this proposal, contact Jeff Owenby or Michael L. Wilkins, the District Ranger, at (828) 524-6441.

"I would encourage anyone interested in weighing in on this decision to take a look at the 'Panthertown Trails Designation Scoping Notice' and the "Panthertown Valley Proposed Trail Designation Map" which are posted online on the National Forests in North Carolina website. Go to http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/nepa.htm and follow the "Panthertown Project" link.

"These are major changes being proposed that the public needs to know about. We're urging anyone interested to submit comments to the Forest Service before April 19," Elliott said. "The 30-day comment period began on March 19 after the release of the scoping proposal, so the clock is ticking."

For more information about how you can get involved, contact Nina Elliott, the Friends of Panthertown Coordinator with the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance by phone at 828-526-9938 (extension 258) or by email at panthertown@jmca.org or on the web at www.j-mca.org.