ASHEVILLE - The US Forest Service released a draft proposal for the Grandfather, Appalachian, Pisgah (GAP) Restoration Project on July 12, after more than two years of collaborative development. The proposed actions focus on restoring specific, fire-adapted sections of Pisgah National Forest and reducing wildfire risk. 

Community safety and forest restoration are key concepts in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan, finalized in 2023. Data from the past century show a trend towards longer, more severe dry periods in southern Blue Ridge forests. Combined with other factors, this has led to an unprecedented build-up of fuel for wildfires and less resilient forests. Community growth and increased interest in Western North Carolina means a higher likelihood of fire ignition and higher risk to visitors and local communities when wildfires start.

Fall 2023 was a recent example of a busy wildfire season. Dry conditions earlier that year contributed to several large fires in the National Forests in North Carolina, including the 2,000-acre Black Bear Fire, which burned for four weeks and close to Interstate 40. 

The US Forest Service and GAP Project partners will host a series of open houses in July to share information about the project and connect to the communities around Pisgah National Forest.

To learn more about the GAP Project through the story map, visit StoryMaps.ARCGIS.com/Stories/792662ebdf964d6fbe8a20ecd8ee6093.

The draft Environmental assessment opened for a 30-day public comment period on July 12, 2024. Comments will help the US Forest Service and its partners refine this project. USFS will read and consider all comments and identify key issues for consideration to help inform the environmental analysis. To see the official documents and comment, visit FS.USDA.gov/Project/?Project=62992.

Source: United States Forest Service