ForestGeorgia ForestWatch Quarterly NewsletterNews Spring 2017

8 Cooper Creek Project Update Page 5

Inside This Issue

Wild & Woolly Forest ForestWatch Successes and Welcome New Members!...... 7 Festival 2017...... 2 Campaigns in 2016...... 5 Around the Forest...... 8 Upcoming Outings...... 3 The Other Illegal Immigration: Invasive Species in the National 2016 Supporters...... 10 Long Mountain: A ’s Forests...... 6 Mountain Treasure...... 4 Wild & Woolly Forest Festival 2017 by Sue Harmon : Board Member & Wild & Woolly Committee Chair

Another Wild & Woolly Forest Festival has come and To all who helped, to all who attended, and to all who contributed to gone. When I think about this event and what it means this year’s Wild & Woolly Forest Festival, a big THANKS! We could not for ForestWatch, I don’t think about the money being have done it without you. raised. I think about the ForestWatch people. For 30 years a community of concerned citizens has been willing to step up to SPONSORS THE MERCHANTS OF the plate and give time and energy to preserve these incredible ADI Marketing DAHLONEGA, HELEN forests of Georgia. Getting these folks together to celebrate this Donna Born & SAUTEE NACOOCHEE work is both a reward and an inspiration. Becky & Tom Callahan Applewood Pottery/Jami Pederson James & Debra Campbell Bernie’s Restaurant & Specific and much deserved thanks is given at the end of this Tom & Sally Colkett Nacoochee Valley Guest House article to the numerous donors, sponsors, committee members, Tom & Jeanette Crawford Cowboys & Angels and volunteers that helped make Wild & Woolly happen. But Jim & Hedy Dawson Dahlonega Tasting Room here I want to take a moment to thank every single person who Richie Deason Gustavo’s Pizzeria Ted & Lynda Doll Habersham Winery purchased a ticket and came to join us. Each participant makes Francine Dykes & Richard Delay Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen our community one person stronger. Melinda & Andy Edwards InsideOut Sautee Sue Harmon JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters As we reflect on the day of celebration at Wild & Woolly – Robin Hitner The Lavender Cottage & Garden moving words from a forest friend, great food, town Bob & Jane Kibler Main Street Emporium in Helen music, the fellowship of other ForestWatchers – we re-inspire George Lee Nacoochee Village Antique Mall ourselves to continue to support this work. One of the best Phyllis Miller Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria ways to do that is by renewing your membership, learning Pete & Sally Parsonson Nora Mill Granary about the forest issues by reading our newsletters, and then Doug & Elaine Riddle Old Sautee Store Dennis & Jan Stansell Rib Country BBQ sharing that knowledge with others. Below are four specific Margaretta Taylor Shenanigans Restaurant ways you can help: Bonnie & Lloyd Unnold & Irish Pub Harry & Debbie Vander Krabben Smokin’ Gold BBQ • We need volunteers to help us table at festivals and public Melanie & Keith Vickers The Stovall House Inn & Restaurant events, where we informally talk with the public about Jim Walker Sweetwater Coffeehouse issues in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, David & Dena Maguire Young Tim’s Wooden Toys and what ForestWatch is doing to address these issues. The Willows Pottery Two upcoming opportunities are: National Trails Day at MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS & Wolf Mountain Vineyards on June 3, and Dahlonega Trail Fest on OTHER DONORS September 8-10. Ben Cash VOLUNTEERS & STAFF • Joan Maloof’s talk energized more than a few of you, and Marie Dunkle Chloe Bettis & Emma Smith we already have a committee of two that is interested in Sue Harmon Ron Bourne Mitch Jacoby Tom & Sally Colkett exploring the possibility of adding more of Georgia’s old- Jack Johnston Jeanette & Tom Crawford growth to the Old-Growth Forest Network. Do you want Hildreth Davis to help? Audrey Moylan Lynda & Ted Doll • Do you have connections to any community groups (maybe Natives Plus Nursery Melinda & Andy Edwards garden clubs, groups, civic groups, HOAs?) that Nearly Native Nursery David Govus would like to hear a presentation about our work? Patagonia Sue Harmon • Are you interested in serving on our Board? Or becoming a Sautee Nacoochee Center Robin Hitner District Leader? Julia Serences Lyn Hopper Brenda Smith Mary Ellen & Alan Johnson James Sullivan Sue Mattison If you want to help or if you have other ideas for how we can Cal & Sandi Tax Jeanne & Bruce O’Connor increase our outreach, shoot us an email at [email protected]. Doug & Elaine Riddle MUSICIANS Jess Riddle Again, the staff and board at Georgia ForestWatch thank you Walter Daves, Jeanie Daves & Brenda Smith for your loyal support. Jennie Ingles Mary Topa Jim Walker n Joanne Steele, Seamus Sullivan May the work continue! And with your support, it will. & Emerson Murphy Dena Maguire & David Young

2 Georgia ForestWatch Contact Information Georgia ForestWatch www.gafw.org 81 Crown Mountain Place, Building C, Suite 200 Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-867-0051 From the Wild Georgia ForestWatch is a 501(c)3 & Woolly Forest nonprofit educational corporation. Festival Forest News edited by Mary Topa and Audrey Moylan Clockwise from top: Layout by Eleanor Thompson Catching up with friends; Speaker Dr. Joan Maloof; Plant Sale STAFF volunteers; Jeanette Crawford and Mary Topa, Executive Director registration volunteers; Musicians Lyn Hopper, Bookkeeper/Office Manager Walter & Jeanie Daves Jess Riddle, Forest Ecologist

BOARD MEMBERS ADVISORS Robin Hitner, President Butch Clay James Dawson, Secretary Sarah Francisco Tom Crawford, Treasurer Patrick Hunter Richie Deason Bob Kibler Ted Doll Charles Seabrook David Govus Dennis Stansell Sue Harmon James Sullivan Brenda Smith Harry Vander Krabben

Photo credits: Tom Crawford GEORGIA FORESTWATCH DISTRICT LEADERS Ranger District Oconee National Forest UPCOMING OUTINGS Marie Dunkle 770-335-0967 JP Schmidt 706-613-8483 (Rabun, Towns and White Counties) Caleb Walker 706-248-4910 June 2nd Ben Cash 706-968-3841 (Greene, Jasper, Jones, Anne Hughes, Maureen Donohue & Sue Harmon (Habersham, Stephens & Monroe, Morgan, Summer Tree ID Hike at Sosebee Cove White counties) Oconee, Oglethorpe and Jarrard Gap area & Putnam counties) Blue Ridge Ranger District Larry Winslett 404-375-8405 June 3rd Tom & Sally Colkett 770-316-7609 (Greene, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, National Trails Day at Vogel State Park (Dawson & Lumpkin counties) Oconee, Oglethorpe & Putnam Jim Walker 706-273-3465 counties) July 1st (Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin Marie Dunkle & Union counties) Conasauga Ranger District Chattooga River Area Hike Robin Hitner 678-294-3256 (Chattooga, Gordon, Murray, August 5th Floyd, Walker & Whitfield US Forest Service counties) Snorkeling the Conasauga River David Govus 706-276-2512 (Fannin & Gilmer counties) Email [email protected] to reserve your spot or register online at gafw.org/outings-events/. Join our email alert program at www.gafw.org to Cover photo credit: Bryant Creek by Larry Winslett receive hike alerts and registration information.

Spring 2017 3 Long Mountain: A Georgia’s Mountain Treasure by Jess Riddle : Forest Ecologist

ne of the beauties inherent in having access to large areas of publicO land is the potential for discovery – uncovering places and things Google doesn’t know about. You can take your map and compass and keep finding out what’s just over the next ridge until you run out of time and energy. And just like every person is unique when you really get to know them, a close-up exploration of a landscape reveals that every crease and fold has its own flavor.

On most maps, the Long Mountain Georgia’s Mountain Treasure doesn’t grab the imagination with possibilities for exploration. This mountain treasure sweeps south from the ridge and borders Army Ranger Camp Frank D. Merrill on the north side of Dahlonega. In most places, such exposed sunny slopes would support a forest of moderate-sized, drought-tolerant oaks and thickets of

mountain laurel. Yet this area, more out of the way than truly remote, Riddle Jess credit: Photo may be one of the most underappreciated patches of ground in north Large piece of muscovite mica Georgia. allowing several unusual plants to emerge from the soils in this The geologic map of the area, though, shows that the ground itself area. Whorled stoneroot, with a feather duster of pinkish flowers, is reason for exploration. Rather than a single rock type underlying pokes up in the lower elevations. High up, orange-fruited horse this area, geologists mapped this area as “metagraywacke/mica schist- gentian lives up to its name, with miniature “pumpkins” sitting quartzite/amphibolite.” That alphabet soup of rocks shows up on the in its leaf axils. Nutrient-demanding trees get in on the act too. ground in a number of eye-catching ways. Bright blue blades of kyanite Hackberries and black walnut create islands of shade on some of shoot through the rocks in the backbone of Long Mountain. Books of the rock outcrops, the highest of which provide great views of the mica as big as your boot lie scattered around old mining prospect pits Dahlonega area. on the lip of the escarpment. Chunks of amphibolite, with their rusty brown rinds and sparkling black cores, poke out of the leaf litter like It’s hard to say whether extra nutrients or extra time to grow has cooked and crystallized lemons. been more important in allowing some more common trees like black oak to reach impressive sizes. Black oaks often tower along Long Mountain’s geological jumble gives rise to a diverse tapestry with chestnut oaks in the old-growth forest that covers the steep of plant communities, and the amphibolite “lemons” are clues to south-facing slopes of Long Mountain proper. Not surprisingly finding some of the most interesting ones. Unlike most rocks in though, the largest trees grow in the small fragment of old-growth northeast Georgia, amphibolite weathers into soils rich in calcium with more moisture. Tulip poplar just misses 5 feet in diameter and magnesium. That unusual chemistry is likely the critical factor in that stand, and on the fringes of the stand, northern red oak reaches 55 inches in diameter. The state champion chestnut oak, however, grows off by itself, a remnant of the original forest in a second-growth part of the area.

The folds and warps of more run-of-the-mill geology in the Long Mountain area have produced some of the most interesting nooks, though. A little stream dribbling over fragmented and nearly vertical rocks provides an oasis for many water-loving species, such as hazel alder, tassel rue, and brook lettuce. At the opposite end of the moisture spectrum, table mountain pine, Georgia’s least common pine, waits on steep ridges for a hot fire. These areas combine with pockets of rich soil and the more common communities to create a diverse landscape worthy of both further exploration and protection. n Photo credit: Jess Riddle Jess credit: Photo Carolina bugbane flowers A 55-inch diameter northern red oak

4 Georgia ForestWatch ForestWatch successes & campaigns in 2016 by David Govus : District Leader and Board Member

As our planet continues to hurtle around the sun and the vernal equinox has come and gone, it is a good time to look back on what Georgia ForestWatch has been up to in the past year or so and what success we have enjoyed.

Roads, ATVs and fines: After many years of lobbying on the part of ForestWatch, the Forest Service finally gated the Frosty Mountain road in 2015, as has been previously noted. This road parallels the Appalachian Trail Approach Trail, in many cases within eyesight, and had deteriorated to such an extent that it was being used as an off-road vehicle (ORV) course by convoys of Jeeps. This use was entirely inappropriate, particularly within a few miles of the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at . Georgia ForestWatch has continued to monitor the area, and when the gate was Winslett Larry credit: Photo ripped down in 2016 we reported this to the Mature mixed forest typical of the Cooper Creek Project area Forest Service. Fortunately, the gate is now back up, and the individuals responsible have been convicted and fined. block the bill. This year Georgia ForestWatch cooperated with Rep. Joyce Shepherd of in crafting a bill that would Down at the state Capitol, Georgia ForestWatch once again played a have increased the fines for operating an ATV on public roads. pivotal role in blocking legislation that would have legalized the use of Unfortunately, this bill did not move. ATVs on public roads in Georgia. ATVs, or 4 wheelers, have long been a plague on public land and years ago ran wild on the Chattahoochee- Another long campaign came to a successful end when the Oconee National Forest. Back then, counties illegally sold license plates schedule of fines for violations on the Chattahoochee-Oconee to ATV owners, thus allowing them to ride legally on the 1,500 miles of National Forest was increased. The Forest Service initiated this Forest Service roads in north Georgia. ForestWatch led a campaign that process over 10 years ago for a very good reason, as existing ended this practice in 2000, and blocked further attempts to change state fines for offenses such as mudbogging, destroying gates, garbage law over the next five years that would have legalized licensing and given dumping and illegal camping were, as one Forest Service ATV owners the right to ride on public roads, including Forest Service official put it, “little more than user fees.” Unfortunately, the roads. process became bogged down in red tape and ground to a halt. ForestWatch broke up this logjam with a vigorous lobbying Now the city of Atlanta is plagued by packs of hooligans who illegally campaign directed at the US Attorney’s Office and federal judges ride ATVs in groups up to 200, blocking roads and threatening who had to sign off on the process. This was something that motorists. In an attempt to seek help for this problem, a well-intentioned the Forest Service could not do, and when the campaign ended but inexperienced representative of the City of Atlanta showed up at successfully we received thanks from the Forest Service. A good the state legislature last year and wound up in the hands of a pro-ATV deal of credit for this success should go to Dan Bowden, longtime legislator. The result was a craftily-written bill that, while appearing ForestWatcher and former Board member. to restrict ATVs on public roads, would have actually have legalized them. Legislation is complex, and words and commas matter. Thanks Conasauga Ranger District: to Neill Herring, state lobbyist for Sierra Club, ForestWatch and other On the western side of the Forest, Georgia ForestWatch environmental organizations in Georgia, ForestWatch learned of this participated in public meetings with the Forest Service to help effort and, with our long experience with these issues, managed to (continued on page 9)

Spring 2017 5 The other illegal immigration: Invasive species in the national forests by Jess Riddle : Forest Ecologist

hree factors – climate change, land management, and invasiveT species – have the greatest potential to transform Georgia’s national forests over the next century. Among the three, invasive species may seem the most natural and innocent. They are, after all, just plants, animals, and other organisms from other parts of the world that happen to grow well here. However, their otherness lets them operate in ways native species don’t. Some possess chemical “weapons” that our native species haven’t encountered before and are defenseless against. Others, released from the predators and pathogens of their homeland, grow and grow and increase in number until native species can’t keep up.

Mere lack of previous exposure allowed smallpox to decimate Native American populations. More recently, hemlock woolly Winslett Larry credit: Photo adelgid has lined the streams of the upper Chattooga and Japanese stiltgrass taking over the forest floor Smokies with snags; thickets of Chinese privet have pushed native species away from streams all across Georgia’s Piedmont; new species will find their way to our natural areas. Some will not cause and wild hogs have uprooted salamanders and wildflowers from problems. The camellias outside our office haven’t spread or bullied soils across the entire state. Nationally, invasive species cause native species out of the way. Others, like chestnut blight, will have over 100 billion dollars of damage annually, and about 40% of profound ecological and cultural impacts. threatened and endangered species are listed primarily due to invasive species (Pimental et al. 2005). Invasive species don’t necessarily equal inevitable doom. They can be fought. Lesser celandine, a highly invasive plant, showed up in one of Many of these species have hitchhiked to our shores on north Georgia’s best spring wildflower locations, Sosebee Cove. Hard ornamental plants, or arrived as the ornamental plants work from dedicated volunteers removed the plant and preserved the themselves. Ship ballast water is a notorious source of biodiversity and integrity of this important site. The key was finding aquatic invasive species. All of these entry routes are tied to the infestation early and treating it before the situation got completely international trade. As long as the global economy continues, out of hand.

U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives

Senator David Perdue Senator Johnny Isakson Representative Jody Hice Representative Tom Graves Senator David Perdue U.S. Senate, 120 Russell Senate Office Bldg. 100 Court Street 702 South Thornton Ave. B40D Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Monroe, GA 30655 Dalton, GA 30720 Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-3643 Phone: 770-207-1776 Phone: 706-226-5320 Phone: 202-224-3521 Fax: 202-228-0724 Fax: 770-226-6751 Fax: 706-278-0840 www.perdue.senate.gov/content/contact-david E-mail: www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index. https://hice.house.gov/contact/ http://tomgraves.house.gov/ cfm/email-me email contact/ -or- -or- Representative Austin Scott Senior Field Representative Denise Clopton Representative Doug Collins 127-B N. Central Ave. 210 Washington St. NW Regional Representative Stami Williams c/o Sen. Johnny Isakson Tifton, GA 31794 Suite 202 One Overton Park, Suite 970 One Overton Park Phone: 229-396-5175 Gainesville, GA 30501 3625 Cumberland Blvd. 3625 Cumberland Blvd., Suite 970 Fax: 229-396-5179 Phone: 770-297-3388 Atlanta, GA 30339 Atlanta, Georgia 30339 https://austinscott.house.gov/ Fax: 770-297-3390 Phone: 770-661-0999 Phone: 770-661-0999 • Fax: 770-661-0768 Fax: 770-661-0768 email-me https://dougcollins.house.gov/ Cell: 423-298-4256 [email protected] email-me E-mail: [email protected] -or- Field Representative Daniela Belton E-mail: [email protected]

6 Georgia ForestWatch Georgia ForestWatch has fought invasive species in several ways. We’ve raised funds for research labs that work to find biological controls for the hemlock woolly WELCOME NEW MEMBERS (Jan-March)! adelgid. This work isn’t complete yet, but beetles that control adelgid for part of the year have been identified. Larry and Mimi Barkey Susan Jamieson For each new Forest Service management project, we David Barton Monte and Melanie Jones evaluate the risk of spreading invasive species to new sites. We also have organized workdays to remove invasive Babette Broussard Ted and Cindy Minick species from specific sites, most recently princess tree in Linda Chafin Owen Murphy the . Jan Coyne Tom Patrick David and Susie Fann Heather Pritchard Although a few Forest Service staff have part of their time Jeffrey Frankel Koel Roy & Averil Singh allocated specifically to dealing with invasive species, Lynn Hart Thomas Watson most invasive infestations are too big for them to handle Anne Heikkila alone. Their biggest limiting factor in fighting invasives is simply human labor. It takes a lot of cutting and pulling to rid an area of an invasive species and keep the species from spreading to other areas. THANK YOU Fortunately, the sheer size of the Chattahoochee FOREST GUARDIANS! Oconee National Forests and the large blocks of natural ecosystems have slowed the invasions of many non-native Anonymous Donor species. Many invasions are still limited enough that Janet Chapman we can remove them. Look for more invasive removal EarthShare of Georgia workdays this year. Also look for future issues of this Andy and Melinda Edwards newsletter to profile threatening invasive species that need immediate action. n Sue Harmon Robin and Janet Hitner References: Bob and Jane Kibler Pimentel D, Zuniga R, and Morrison D. 2005. Update Southern Environmental Law Center on the environmental and economic costs associated Margaretta Taylor with alien-invasive species in the United States. Ecological Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo Foundation Economics 52: 273-288. The Wilderness Society

District Offices of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Forest Service Contacts

District Ranger, Jeff Gardner District Ranger, Ryan Foote Betty Jewett – Forest Supervisor USFS Conasauga Ranger District USFS Chattooga River Ranger District USDA Forest Service 3941 Highway 76 • Chatsworth, GA 30705 9975 Highway 441 South Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests [email protected] Lakemont, GA 30552 1755 Cleveland Highway 706-695-6736 [email protected] Gainesville, GA 30501 706-754-6221 [email protected] District Ranger, Andrew Baker 770-297-3000 USFS Blue Ridge Ranger District District Ranger, Thomas Dozier 2042 Highway 515 West USFS Oconee National Forest Tony Tooke – Regional Forester P.O. Box 9 • Blairsville, GA 30512 1199 Madison Road USDA Forest Service – Region 8 1720 Peachtree St. NE • Atlanta, GA 30309 [email protected] Eatonton, GA 31024 [email protected] 706-745-6928 tdozier.fs.fed.us 404-347-4177 706-485-7110 Tom Vilsack Secretary of Agriculture, USDA 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250 202-720-2791

Spring 2017 7 Around the forest by Jess Riddle : Forest Ecologist

With the amount of time and energy the Forest Service is Chattooga River Ranger District: The District invited investing to make the Foothills Landscape Collaboration a success, Georgia ForestWatch, Georgia DNR, The Nature Conservancy, the Forest has been relatively quiet--except for older projects and The Chattooga Conservancy, and other interested parties to some issues that have beset the Forest Service. view the first phase of implementation of the Upper Warwoman Watershed Project. Contractors have cut down all trees less than Oconee Ranger District: Chief among the issues are the twelve inches in diameter around selected wildlife openings and literally hundreds of ips engraver beetle infestations on the Oconee. in woodland restoration treatment areas. Later harvests of larger Southern pine beetle is the insect known for killing stands of pines trees will complete those treatments. Much of the discussion in the Southeast. Ips are typically less destructive, usually killing was about how to conduct subsequent prescribed burns with so only a few pines in any area. However, the ongoing drought has much fuel on the ground. The District also discussed that several weakened pines across Georgia, resulting in the worst outbreak of of the planned commercial harvests had been converted to non- ips engravers anyone can remember. Current infestations range commercial (trees left on site) due to road conditions and poor from a few trees up to 60 acres. quality of the timber.

The Forest Service is contracting salvage logging operations to try The Chattooga River Ranger District has a new district ranger, to contain individual infestations. The long-term OFHWHIP Ryan Foote. Ryan comes to us from the Idaho Panhandle (Oconee Forest Health and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project) National Forest. He has a background in fish biology and has includes provisions that allow the Forest Service to conduct these been with the Forest Service for 18 years. kinds of salvage operations without going through a new NEPA process. With the number of infestations overwhelming their ability Other forests: We submitted comments in response to the to prepare contracts, they have been forced to triage areas to treat. scoping notice for the Southside Project. This project on the They have prioritized areas with timber operations already in place, Nantahala Ranger District of Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest recreation areas like campgrounds, and areas where the infestation seems reminiscent of the Cooper Creek project. We have not could spread onto private land. seen the stands in person, but have heard that older forests are specifically being targeted. Both the Wilderness Society and the Ips infestations often precede southern pine beetle infestations. Chattooga Conservancy strongly oppose this project. n Traps have caught elevated numbers of southern pine beetles this spring, so the situation may get worse before it gets better. Any pine beetle epidemic should become evident in the next month or two.

Conasauga Ranger District: District staff reached out to ForestWatch and other stakeholders who had been involved with the Armuchee Forest Health Project to look at an ips beetle outbreak. Outbreaks on the Armuchee Ridges have not been nearly as extensive as on the Oconee, but there is a fairly extensive infestation in two pine plantations. These plantations were already scheduled for thinning, and the District is considering changing the contract to a more complete harvest to account for the ips infestation. The Forest Service will actually lose money on that change because the infestation reduces the quality of the wood. The change is covered under the Armuchee Forest Health project. We also discussed post-harvest restoration goals with the District.

Blue Ridge Ranger District: We met with District staff to Eastern five-spined engraver Ips beetle Ips( grandicollis) discuss the Cooper Creek Project. The District is open to changes to the project within limits. Changes they proposed would Photo credit: Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org significantly address some of our issues with the project while other parts remain problematic. We will not know what changes actually are incorporated until the draft decision notice is issued. We expect the draft decision in June.

8 Georgia ForestWatch ForestWatch successes & campaigns (continued from page 5) fashion a project in the Armuchee region under the provisions of the Cooper Creek Update: Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003, recently amended under Georgia ForestWatch, along with SELC and the Georgia Chapter the 2014 Farm Bill. This provision allowed the governors of these of the Sierra Club, continue to follow the Cooper Creek timber United States, upon consulting with the Forest Service, to declare cutting project as it evolves in an attempt to reduce the size of part or all of National Forest land within their states as “unhealthy.” the project and lessen its impact on the environment. Planning Remarkably, Governor Deal declared most of the Chattahoochee for this project began in 2011, and it was formally proposed in National Forest as “unhealthy.” The Forest Service has wide latitude 2014. Since then, the project has been reduced from 3,700 acres under this act to implement large projects with very limited to 2,500 acres, and proposed herbicide use has been significantly environmental review in areas designated “unhealthy.” Fortunately, reduced from 3,251 to 1,327 acres. A vigorous publicity campaign in this instance the Forest Service proposed a modest and sensible by Georgia ForestWatch and the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra project to thin offsite loblolly pine plantations in an attempt to move Club contributed to over 1,300 comments to the Forest Service these areas back to a more natural mixed forest. The public input on the project, with the vast majority opposing it. It now appears process was open and transparent, and both ForestWatch and our that a draft decision on the project will be announced this summer. partner, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), felt that ForestWatch, SELC and the Sierra Club will carefully review the our presence at the table made a huge difference in the final project. decision and pursue all opportunities and actions necessary to minimize impacts from this large timber sale. Elsewhere in the Conasauga Ranger District, Georgia ForestWatch has been analyzing a proposal by the Forest Service released in 2015 Georgia’s Mountain Treasures Project: to cut 436 acres of timber in the Fightingtown Creek watershed for As always, ForestWatch’s Forest Ecologist Jess Riddle has been the creation of early successional habitat (ESH) – a young, brushy very active cataloging old-growth areas and special places on the habitat that is favored by some wildlife species, in particular, ruffed forest. Jess is out in the woods at least once a week and often grouse. A second component of the project called for the designation more frequently, covering many miles, and has compiled a wealth of 400 acres for old-growth conservation, a goal ForestWatch would of information about the Chattahoochee National Forest and its like to see more of throughout the Forest. To the Forest Service’s natural and man-made features. All of this information has been credit, this project does not rely on the use of any herbicide to achieve archived and will be used to update the report, Georgia’s Mountain its proposed objectives. Treasures: The Unprotected Wildlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest, first published in 1995 by The Wilderness Society with The proposal called for “regeneration” harvests that would remove 80- input from Georgia ForestWatch and other conservation partners. 90% of the trees in stands that have received various treatments over Updating this report will be extremely useful when the revision the last century, including stands recovering from recent clearcuts. process for the current Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Many observers, including myself, would call regeneration harvest a Plan begins in the next couple of years. The goal, of course, is to clearcut. Georgia ForestWatch delivered extensive comments arguing provide permanent protection to as much of the Forest as possible. that excessive cutting of older stands with mast-producing oaks would As the Forest Service budget has been slashed with funds diverted be contrary to the 9.H. Management Prescription in these stands, to fighting wildfires, and its staff come and go at a dizzying rate, i.e. “management, maintenance, and restoration of historical plant Georgia ForestWatch, in many instances, possesses greater on-the- associations and their ecological dynamics.” We suggested cutting ground knowledge of the Forest than the Forest Service. This is 30- to 40-year-old clearcuts, since these have no mast production and quite a feat when you compare ForestWatch’s meager budget to that fewer benefits to wildlife instead of cutting healthy, mature forests. of the Forest Service.

Georgia ForestWatch submitted an alternative proposal and As always, Georgia ForestWatch stays busy and punches well above participated in an all-day field trip to the project area with staff its weight. n from the Forest Service, Ruffed Grouse Society and University of Georgia. The Forest Service has responded with a modified proposal that is taking a more “outside the box” approach to creation of ESH, and swapping three of their original stands with three stands that ForestWatch recommended. These changes have reduced acres cut from 436 to 195 acres, leaving more mature oaks in the project area. Although ForestWatch still has concerns about the project, compromises were made on all sides, and the result is much better than the original proposal. ForestWatch awaits the final decision on this project, due this summer.

Spring 2017 9 2016 Supporters, thank you!

The Georgia ForestWatch Directors, Advisors, District Leaders, and Staff want to thank you for your generosity and support for helping us protect Georgia’s national forests. This important work could not be accomplished without each and every one of you.

(If you have made a $100+ donation in 2016 and your name is not listed, please accept our apology and call us so we can correct our records. Thank you!)

Major Foundations, John & Beverly Baker Andy & Melinda Edwards Murphy Miller Conservation Partners & Mike Bales Ens and Outs Laura Mitchell & George Krall Business Supporters Alan & Honey Barnes Robert & Nancy Fichter Carol Morgan Anonymous Foundation James Baugh Elizabeth Fox Audrey Moylan EarthShare of Georgia C. Gray Bethea, Jr. Sarah & Jack Frierson Lamar Mullis EMSA Fund, Inc. Richard & Roberta Bondi Karen & Frank Fuerst Dr. John O’Sullivan The Fleury Family Fund – Donna Born Thomas Gaither Pete & Sally Parsonson Marc Fleury and Nathalie Barbara Bowman Walt & Kate George Sharon Pauli Mason-Fleury Dr. Robert and Lucinda Bunnen – Georgia Appalachian Trail Will Phelps Fund for Wild Nature Lubo Fund Club, Inc. Chris & Jim Powers Patagonia David & Cara Busch Georgia Mountains Unitarian Kelly Provence R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation Rebecca & Thomas Callahan Universalist Church Dan & Peggy Rawlins The Sapelo Foundation James & Debra Campbell John T. & Sara M. Godwin Fund Thomas & Ann Rhodes Southern Environmental Duval Carter – Patricia & John Dunleavy Denny & Lois Rhodes Law Center Janet Chapman Bobby Goldstein Doug & Elaine Riddle Turner Foundation, Inc. Pam & David Clough Peg & Michael Griffith Brian Rodkey Wells Fargo Foundation Thomas & Sally Colkett Nedom & Carol Haley Donald Russ The Wilderness Society Drs. Price & Rogena Cordle Dr. Robert Harbin Dr. J.P. Schmidt Thomas & Jeanette Crawford Susan Harmon Jon Schwartz A special thanks to our legal Terrence & Merry Croft Eugene Hatfield Jerry & Patricia Seabolt partner! Edward & Susan Croft Robin & Janet Hitner Charles & Laura Seabrook Southern Environmental Nannette & Christopher Curran Jennie Hobson Jeffery Sellers Law Center Bradley Currey, Jr. Lyn Hopper Julia Serences James & Hedy Dawson Pierre Howard Nancy Sharp Individuals and Businesses Richie Deason Shepherd & Sarah Howell Lanier Shelnutt Contributing $100+ Mark & Lucy Dickerson Steven Hurder Thomas & Betty Shope Kenneth Adams Sarah Dickerson Brock & Patty Hutchins Dudley Sisk & Barbara Luhn James Adderholdt, Jr. Ted & Lynda Doll Katie Hutchison Marianne & James Skeen ADI Marketing, Inc. Marie Dunkle Mitchell Jacoby Emily & John Smith Anderson Creek Retreat Steven Dupont Tom James Brenda Smith Robert Anderson Dr. Francine Dykes & Roger & Jean Johnson Andrew Smith Anonymous Donor Richard Delay Colleen & Barrett Jones Jan & Dennis Stansell Rene & Paul Kane Marilyn & Ted Stapleton Susan Keller Kathryn Stege Linda DiSantis & Bob Kerr Sandi Still Bob & Jane Kibler Kasey Sturm & Quentin Elizabeth Knowlton Mostoller Nancy Knudegard Cal & Sandi Tax Keith & Leslie Kozicki Margaretta Taylor E. Cody & Linda Laird Jane & Hugh Thompson Clifford & Katie Lancey James Unger Harold Lavender Lloyd & Bonnie Unnold George Lee Keith & Melanie Vickers Robin & Mary Line Nancy Waldrop Tonette Long & Paul Von Ward Jim & Patricia Walker Patricia & Roy Lowe Susan & Newt White Frank & Michelle Maloney Sam & Barbara Williams Pamela & Christopher Martin Mr. & Mrs. Wil Womack Dennis McClure & Julie Jordan Nancy Wylie & Larry Kloet John & Marilyn McMullan David & Dena Maguire Young Rebecca McSwain Kurt-Alexander Zeller Phillip & Connie Meade Phil & Dorothy Zinsmeister Helen Meadors Barry Zuckerman & Tracey

Photo credit: Charles Seabrook Charles credit: Photo Kitty & Tom Meyers Waters Phyllis Miller American Chestnut Hike with Dr. Cipollini

10 Georgia ForestWatch Photo credit: Peter McIntosh Peter credit: Photo LeMay Laura credit: Photo LeMay Laura credit: Photo One of our first District Leaders, James Sullivan, A big thanks to our 2016 Plant Sale volunteers! District Leaders Jim Walker & David helped us celebrate our 30th Anniversary. Govus at Cooper Creek

In-Kind Contributors Thanks to all our 2016 Hike Leaders Marie Dunkle Applewood Pottery, Jami Pederson wonderful volunteers: Liz Caldwell Melinda & Andy Edwards Donna Born Dr. Martin Cipollini Sarah Francisco Janet Chapman District Leaders Marie Dunkle Diane Freer Chateau Meichtry Family Ben Cash David Govus David Govus Vineyard & Winery Sally Colkett Sue Harmon Sue Harmon Richard Davis & Natives Plus Nursery Tom Colkett Patricia Kyritsi Howell Robin Hitner Lynda Doll Marie Dunkle Jack Johnston Lyn Hopper Maureen Donohue David Govus James Lautzenheiser Mary Ellen Johnson Marie Dunkle Robin Hitner Becky McSwain Laura LeMay Melinda Edwards JP Schmidt Dr. Olya Milenkaya Jane Lipscomb Phyllis Ellis Dennis Stansell Dr. Bruce O’Connor Brent Martin David Govus Caleb Walker Jess Riddle Peter McIntosh Sue Harmon Jim Walker Dr. J.P. Schmidt Jay Noe Imagers Larry Winslett Amanda Simmons Tom O’Keefe Jack Johnston Brenda Smith David Paddock & Anne Malone Len Foote Hike Inn Advisors Will Wagner Janisse Ray Peter McIntosh Photography William “Butch” Clay Amy Wales Doug Riddle Merchants of Historic Sarah Francisco Jim Walker Jess Riddle Dahlonega Square Patrick Hunter Charles Seabrook Mercier Orchards Bob Kibler, MD (retired) And Our Event Speakers & Brenda Smith Patagonia Charles Seabrook Volunteers! James Sullivan Bill Pound Dennis Stansell Donna Born Mary Topa Brenda Smith James Sullivan Claudia Burgess Harry Vander Krabben Stover Mountain Orchard Sally & Tom Colkett Jim Walker Cal & Sandi Tax Ian & Vanessa Cowie Janet Westervelt Maureen Topa Tom & Jeanette Crawford Jim Dawson Lynda & Ted Doll

Distribution of GFW Income Sources in FY 2016

3% Member Contributions – 43%

Program Fees, Sales & 43% Sponsorships – 8.3% 45.7% Grants – 45.7%

Earthshare of GA – 3% Harmon Sue credit: Photo 8.3% One of our younger ForestWatch members, Chloe Bettis, relaxes with family at the 2016 Fall Retreat.

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