NEWS

MOREHEAD, March 5, 2008 - The Cumberland Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest is seeking information to determine future management needs of federal lands in the Natural Bridge area of Menifee, Powell and Wolfe County, Kentucky. A new process referred to as an Integrated Resource Management Strategy (IRMS) is being used to address the current and desired conditions of National Forest System Lands given the goals and objectives in the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

On Thursday, March 27, an open house will be held at the Powell County Lion’s Club Park located on Highway 615 (North Bend Road) in Stanton, Ky. from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Forest Service specialists will be available to provide information such as the current condition of vegetation, riparian areas, roads, trails and recreation facilities.

The IRMS provides an opportunity for groups and individuals to become involved in the early planning stages of potential projects, prior to the development of proposals.

“We would like to strengthen our communication with individuals interested in management activities on national forest lands,” said District Ranger Dave Manner. “We want to find out what people know about the area, how they use the area, and their thoughts concerning the current condition of the resources and facilities.”

This project is a separate initiative from the Limits of Acceptable Change process focused on recreation activities within the Red River Gorge. For more information about the IRMS open house, contact Jeffrey Lewis or visit the Daniel Boone National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/planning/IRMS/index_irms.shtml.

SENATE BILL 196

Kristen R. Branscum
Tourism Development Director
Kentucky Commerce Cabinet

500 Mero Street, Ste. 2400
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4270 x131
kristen.branscum@ky.gov

Public Workshop for Southern Forest Futures Project

WINCHESTER, Ky., Feb. 11, 2008 - The U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with the Southern Group of State Foresters, has initiated a two-year endeavor called the Southern Forest Futures Project (SFFP). This project is intended to forecast the future of forests in 13 southern states and parts of the Caribbean. The effort will address expected future conditions that may affect a wide variety of forest resources, uses, services and values.

A series of public meetings were initiated last month to hear what the public considers important issues for tomorrow’s forests. These meetings are being conducted in each of the 13 states, as well as in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. During the meetings, the Forest Service will gather input regarding the forces of change that are likely to influence forest conditions and the values at risk from these changes. This input will be used to shape the final plans for the SFFP.

In Kentucky, a public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 at the Four Points Sheraton on Stanton Way in Lexington. The meeting will begin at 1:00 and adjourn at 5:00 p.m. Natural resource professionals and the general public are encouraged to attend and participate in the dialogue.

Sustaining forests in the South over the long term requires the public, policy makers and forest managers to anticipate change, what is likely to drive it and the potential consequences,” said John Greis, co-leader of the SFFP. “That is the intent of this project.”

Additional details regarding the Kentucky public meeting and the overall project can be found on the following SFFP website.

Park seeks comment on draft Comprehensive Trail Management Plan

(MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK – January 24, 2008) Superintendent Patrick Reed
announced today that the park is seeking public input through March 24, on
the Draft Comprehensive Trail Management Plan (Plan) for Mammoth Cave
National Park. A public open house is scheduled Thursday, February 7,
6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Mammoth Cave Hotel to receive written comments and
answer questions.

'The Park staff has drafted the plan and its environmental assessment,'
said Reed. 'Five alternatives were identified and evaluated, which led to
the selection of a preferred alternative. Now it's time for the public to
look it over and let us know if the Plan adequately represents their
interests.'

The planning process began in June 2006, when the park held a public
meeting to gather information to determine the scope of the trail plan:
visitor use issues; facility issues; maintenance issues; and administrative
issues. Subsequently, to address these issues, the Park identified a wide
range of alternatives; five were chosen to be included. The five
alternatives were evaluated through a 'value analysis' decision-making
process to reach the Preferred Alternative.

'We want the public to review all the alternatives, not just the one
designated as preferred' added Reed. 'The public's perspective may give us
new insight, new concepts that we have not considered. This Plan is still
in draft form and subject to change based on public comments.'

A summary of the alternatives are listed below:

Alternative #1: this is the No Action Alternative. It is required by
National Environmental Policy Act to serve as a baseline for comparing
other alternatives. In some cases the best solution to a problem is in
taking no action, leaving a situation at the status quo. However, in this
trail plan, the No Action Alternative is not acceptable.

Alternative #2: this alternative would allow bicyclists to use Sal Hollow,
Buffalo, and a portion of Turnhole Bend (north) trails all year. All
northside trails would be designated for hikers and horse users.

Alternative #3: this alternative would permit horse use on Sal Hollow from
June through October (during the driest months of the year); except for
this restriction, horses would be allowed on all other northside trails.
Hikers are allowed on all trails. Bicyclists would be allowed on Sal
Hollow, Buffalo, and a portion of Turnhole Bend (north) trails all year.

Alternative #4: this alternative proposes a new six-mile, single-track
loop trail which would be constructed east of the Green River Ferry
Road-North for bicycle and hiker use only. All other northside trails
would be designated for hikers and horse users.

Alternative #5, PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: this alternative would establish
First Creek Trail for bicyclist and hiker use only. All other north side
trails would be designated for hikers and horse users.

Common to all the alternatives:

    A new 1.5-mile connector trail between Maple Springs Trailhead,
    Raymer Hollow Trail, Maple Springs Group Campground, and the Mammoth
    Cave International Center for Science and Learning would be
    developed; portions of it would be a shared use trail.
    A special regulation would be promulgated to authorize bicycle use on
    designated trails.
    Improvements will be made to trailheads/parking areas to better
    accommodate backcountry users in association with changes in
    designated use and anticipated patterns of increased visitation.
    The trailhead and trail access at Good Spring United Baptist Church
    will be eliminated; road access to the church and cemetery will
    remain. Connector trails would be developed to replace the trail
    access eliminated at the church.

To view the Plan:
The entire draft Comprehensive Trail Management Plan may be viewed online
at http://parkplanning.nps.gov, or from the park website (www.nps.gov/maca)
click on the management folder. For those who do not have web access, a
hard copy may be obtained from the Park through the Superintendent's Office
by calling 270.758.2189, or by email at maca_ctmp@nps.gov.

To comment:
Comments may be submitted via the National Park Service Planning,
Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov;
click on Mammoth Cave National Park from the drop down menu; or comments
may be emailed to maca_ctmp@nps.gov. Written comments may also be
submitted to Mammoth Cave National Park, Attn: Vickie Carson, P.O. Box 7,
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259.   Use of the PEPC website will reduce mailing
costs and employee workload.

It is the practice of the NPS to make all comments, including the names and
addresses of respondents who provide comments, available for public review.
Individuals may request that the NPS withhold their name and/or address
from public disclosure. If you wish to do this, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your comment. Commentators using the PEPC
website can make such a request by checking the box 'keep my contact
information private.' The NPS will honor such requests to the extent
allowable by law, but you should be aware that the NPS may still be
required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of
Information Act.

Questions? Contact Vickie Carson, Public Information Officer,
270.758.2192.

Public input sought on Cave Run Lake Trails

WINCHESTER, Ky., Jan. 14, 2008 - A public meeting will be held for users of non-motorized trails in the Cave Run Lake area of the Cumberland Ranger District on the Daniel Boone National Forest. Any groups or individuals interested in the future management of these trails are invited to attend and discuss their recreational experiences in this area of the national forest.

The trail system surrounding Cave Run Lake has experienced a tremendous increase in use over the past several years. Initially these trails were designed and constructed for foot-travel only, but most of the current users are equestrian and bicycling enthusiasts. As a result of increased use, user conflicts and accelerated maintenance needs are occurring.

"This is a very popular recreation area that has seen a steady growth in trail use. It is time to respond to this change," said Dave Manner, Cumberland District Ranger. "When this trail system was initially constructed, no one anticipated the level of use it would receive. We want to manage a trail system that provides for a positive user experience while ensuring that natural resources are adequately protected.

"This meeting is intended to bring together various non-motorized trail users, community members, and others interested in collaborating and developing consensus for future trail management," said Manner.

The public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 31 at the Morehead Conference Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. Individuals interested in attending this meeting should pre-register by contacting the project leader, Robert Sitzlar, at the Cumberland Ranger Station. Sitzlar may be reached by calling (606) 784-6428, ext. 113, or by email at rsitzlar@fs.fed.us.

LET THE PLANNING BEGIN!

Metro Parks is pleased to announce the selection of Jones and Jones Architects and Landscape Architects, Ltd – a nationally-recognized and award-winning firm based in Seattle – to develop a master plan for the Jefferson Memorial Forest. Jones and Jones has decades of experience producing inspirational master plans on scales similar to that represented by the Jefferson Memorial Forest and in settings of equal beauty and ecological, educational and recreational significance. As part of this six- to eight-month process, a steering committee – composed of community leaders, representatives from local government, and professionals from fields including resource management and environmental education – will help guide the planning process in a way that supports the Forest’s mission and community goals. There will be three public meetings where current Forest users, potential users, and all others can voice their suggestions. The first of the public meetings is tentatively scheduled to take place in March, at a location to be determined. Furthermore, neighborhood representatives and specific interest groups will be invited to individual stakeholder meetings. These stakeholder meetings will be divided into five groupings: Citizens and political representatives from Fairdale and surrounding neighborhoods

Jones and Jones has assembled a very capable consultant team with significant local representation. These include Biohabitats, Inc. (natural resource inventory and assessment); Environs, Inc. (neighborhood liaison); BTM Engineering, Inc (transportation and land use planning); Corn Island Archaeology, LLC (historic resource assessment); and Horizon Research International (community preference surveys). Details on the exact date, time, and location of the first public meeting will likely be announced in February. Those on our mailing list will be notified directly. Those not on our mailing list should keep an eye on TheCourier-Journal, as well as the web site for the Forest (www.memorialforest.com). In the meantime, we hope that you will be thinking about your vision for the Jefferson Memorial Forest so that you can share it with us early next year. Bennett Knox, Park Manager