USFS seeks public comment on post-Helene recovery project

NORTON – The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on a proposed 110-acre timber salvage project in Scott County.The Thunderstruck Salvage and Thinning Project would involve salvaging dead and dying timber in Scott County, about three miles southeast of Big Stone Gap and five miles north of Duffield.The project stems from the September impact of Hurricane Helene on ecosystems and infrastructure in the southern Appalachian region."There is an urgent need to clear debris, remove dead and dying trees, reduce fuel loads, and repair roads to restore access throughout the project area," according to the USFS project announcement.Maps and project information can be viewed at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=68006"Without intervention," according to project documents, "the storm damaged parts of stand will likely convert to red maple or yellow poplar forest types, depending on the severity of the storm damage. The conversion of these stands would result in conditions not in alignment with the desired conditions outlined for the project area within the Jefferson National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan."Much of the timber damage involved a mix of oaks, yellow-poplar, hickories, and other minor species, according to the USFS.The Forest Service welcomes your involvement in this project. If this project remains under a categorical exclusion after further assessment, it would not be subject to administrative review and appeal.Written comments concerning this proposal will be accepted through April 25. Comments may be submitted through the project website via the web form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=68006.This web form can also be accessed from the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=68006. On the right side, you can select Comment/Object on Project — George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Scoping Letter Thunderstruck Salvage Project 3.Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), portable document files (.pdf), hypertext markup language (.html), or Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx).Written comments can also be submitted as hardcopy to:USDA Forest ServiceAttn: Tiffany Cummins1700 Park Ave. NWNorton, VA 24273Please share any specific concerns that you feel need to be considered within the context of this proposed action. Make comments as concise as you can and address the proposed action specifically. State "Thunderstruck Salvage Project" in the subject line when providing electronic comments, or on the envelope when replying by mail.For more information, contact Royce Bedbury at Royce.Bedbury@usda.gov or Tiffany Cummins at tiffany.cummins@usda.gov.