Forest Service Update- Chattahoochee National Forest, Brasstown and Toccoa Ranger Districts
Website important for latest information

The Chattahoochee National Forest website can provide you with the latest information on recreation opening/ closing dates, campsite and pavilion reservations, land management activities, and even future proposed activities. The website address is HYPERL I N K "http://www.fs.fed.us/conf" www.fs.fed.us/conf.

The website is updated on an ongoing basis and provides you with an abundance of information at your fingertips, including an opportunity to even view the current conditions at Brasstown Bald Visitor Center. The live web cam can help you in determining what the weather and viewing conditions are from Georgia's highest mountain.

Hiawassee River Update

Chattahoochee National Forest employees have been working with the Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia Department of Natural Resources to restore the damage caused two years ago when a truck transporting gasoline and diesel fuel wrecked near Unicoi Gap in Towns County. When the accident occurred, the fuel moved from the wreck site into the headwaters of the Hiawassee River watershed impacting the river and nearby national forest system lands.

The transportation company was responsible for funding the cleanup. The work included building catch basins, to catch the fuel, monitoring and the removal of as much fuel as possible. Monitoring has indicated a great reduction in the fuel in the area with only small pockets of fuel occasionally showing up in the monitoring sites. Because of the great reduction in fuel, the dams have been removed and restoration of the area initiated. Monitoring devices will remain in the area to monitor any fuel that remains.

The Forest Service, Towns County Emergency personnel, Department of Natural Resources and EPA all worked on the site immediately after the accident to reduce the impact of the fuel spreading downstream and to the surrounding area. It was a team effort.

Recreation Areas Opening

Outdoor recreation season is in full swing. Campgrounds are opening, trout fishing season is opening, hikers are taking to the trails, ATV and fourwheeler trails are open, and the Brasstown Bald Visitor Center will be opening on April 14.

Listed below are the opening dates for National Forest Campgrounds.

Fannin County

Morganton Point: Camping - April 14, Day Use open now

Frank Gross: Camping open year round.

Deep Hole: Camping and day use open year round

Union County:

Coopers Creek: Camping - Year round.

Lake Winfield Scott: Camping - North loop and all day use open year round. Camping on south loop opening April 21.

Towns County:

Brasstown Bald Visitor Center - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only from April 14 until Memorial Day. Memorial Day - November 1 the visitor center is open 7 days a week.

Lumpkin County:

Desoto Falls - Camping April 21, day use open year round.

Boggs Creek - Camping and day use open year round.

All trailheads are open. The seasonal road closings (due to winter freeze and thaw conditions) have been reopened.

New Forest Maps Available

The new Chattahoochee National Forest visitor map is now available. The map can be purchased at Forest Service offices in Blairsville and Blue Ridge, Clayton, Clarksville, Chatsworth, or Gainesville. Also, some participating Chamber of Commerce offices also sell the maps. You can also order a map online the Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/conf.

Wildfire season continues

The wildfire season continues thru May 15 on the Chattahoochee National Forest. This year Forest Service employees have responded to numerous wildfire related calls, many of which have been related to construction site controlled burns getting out of control. Current long term weather predictions indicate drought conditions will continue thru the next month. We could get temporary relief, but due to the drought condition, extreme caution is urged.

If you want to burn debris or leaves on your property, you MUST have a burn permit. These permits are available thru the Georgia Forestry Commission, not the US Forest Service. The permits are available on line at www.gfc.state.us or by phone at your local Georgia Forestry Commission office.