Write the Forest Service for Chattooga Headwaters Access
USDA Forest Service
Andrew Pickens Ranger District, Sumter National Forest
112 Andrew Pickens Circle
Mountain Rest, SC 29664
RE: Private Boater Access in the Chattooga Headwaters
Dear Mr. Crane,
I am a whitewater boater and I support American Whitewater's effort to gain legal boater access to the Chattooga Headwaters above Highway 28. The current prohibition on boating above Highway 28 has never made sense and should be eliminated.
The closure of the Chattooga above Highway 28 was done without an open EA or EIA, without public input, and with no evidence of damage or conflict resulting from boater use. Furthermore a former District Ranger, with ties to the fishermen who oppose sharing the river with boaters, unilaterally made the decision to close the river. This was inappropriate at best.
I understand that the river planning team is about to issue proposed revisions to Appendix M of the Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) for public comment. Appendix M addresses use on the Wild and Scenic portions of the Chattooga River. Hopefully the proposed revisions will include boating access to the Chattooga above Highway 28.
The Chattooga River is a very special place to me. I have been visiting it for years and believe that boating use is consistent with the purposes of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Please add my name to your mailing list for LRMP issues related to river management.
Sincerely,
My Address is:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
(Signature)
__________________________________
(Print Name)
CC:
Mr. Jerome Thomas, Forest Supervisor, Sumter National Forest
USDA Forest Service
4931 Broad River Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29212-3530
Phone Number: 803-561-4000Jason Robertson, Access Director, American Whitewater
1430 Fenwick Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-589-9453
Fax: 301-589-6121
jason@amwhitewater.orgDon Kinser, Regional Coordinator, American Whitewater
1263 Colony Drive
Marietta, GA 30068-2808
Phone: 678-202-0700
Fax: 678-643-3261
dkinser@ediltd.com