Plugging of Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells in Big South Fork will temporarily close trails

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Pollution Control (TDEC), will plug and reclaim fourteen abandoned oil and gas wells in the park this spring and summer. The project will be completed with federal funds through a cooperative agreement with TDEC. This project will improve safety conditions for visitors and protect natural resources in the park.

Miller Energy Resources was selected by TDEC to perform well plugging operations. The fourteen wells slated for plugging are located throughout the park. Work is scheduled to begin immediately.

In the interest of visitor safety and overall project success, temporary closures of site-related access roads and trails may be necessary. The public will be notified of any closures at least one week in advance to allow visitors to prepare alternate plans for park activities.

For further information or questions concerning this project, please contact Chief of Resource Management, Tom Blount, at (423) 569-2404, extension 252.


Jeff
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New Hours for Bandy Creek Visitor Center in Big South Fork

The Bandy Creek Visitor Center in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be changing to new hours for the late fall and winter seasons. In the interest of better serving visitors travelling from the Central time zone, the Bandy Creek Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day beginning Sunday, November 6, 2011. The visitor center will be open every day except for Christmas Day, December 25. The park is open for use every day of the year.

Days may be shorter and the weather cooler, but the Big South Fork has a great deal to offer during the winter months. To find out how you may continue to enjoy the Big South Fork in the coming months, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.


Jeff
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Astronomy Program at Big South Fork this Weekend

Paul Lewis from the University of Tennessee and the Big South Fork astronomy volunteers will be at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on Saturday, October 1, 2011, for two special programs.

A telescope with a sun filter will be positioned in front of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to allow for solar viewing. Using special telescope filters allows us to safely view the sun without damaging our eyes. The sun should never be viewed without proper sun filters or permanent damage to the eyes may occur.

The cooler nights and clear skies of autumn make it a perfect time to observe the stars, planets, and deep space objects. On Saturday night at 8:30 p.m., Paul Lewis will describe which objects to look for in the night sky of October. This program will be held in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center parking lot across from the Visitor Center. Telescopes will be available for night sky observation after the presentation. You may want to bringa blanket or chair with you for comfortable seating. These programs are free and all are invited to attend.

In the event of rain or inclement weather, the evening program will be moved indoors to the building next to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, and night sky observation with the telescopes will be cancelled. For additional information or questions, please call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.


Jeff
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Fee Free Day this Saturday at Big South Fork

In honor of National Public Lands Day, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will offer free backcountry camping and free camping at Alum Ford Campground on Saturday, September 24.

National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands American's enjoy. The National Park Service has been participating in National Public Lands Day for more than three decades, and last year, 170,000 volunteers built trails and bridges and removed trash and invasive plants on public lands across the country.

For more information, you may call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275, the Stearns Visitor Center at (606) 376-5073.


Jeff
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Interpretive Programs at Big South Fork for 4th of July Weekend

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host a series of day and evening programs during the July 4th weekend. Park rangers will present a variety of programs in both Tennessee and Kentucky. The programs in Tennessee will be held at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center or nearby Leatherwood Ford. Programs in Kentucky will be at the Blue Heron Campground or the McCreary County Museum in Stearns. In addition to these programs, park rangers will present short talks at the Blue Heron Mining Camp during scheduled trips by the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. All programs are presented on Eastern Time.

Saturday, July 2
10:30 a.m. � My Trail Pack - Junior Ranger Program � Bandy Creek Visitor Center back porch - Learn how you can be a junior ranger and what you should take with you when you are on a hike in the park. Come see what park rangers take in their day packs.

1:00 p.m. � Wet & Wild�Join Ranger Brenda Deaver to discover what creek critters tell us about the quality of water in our streams and rivers. We will take a close look at some of the benthic macro invertebrates found in the Big South Fork River. Meet in the gazebo at Leatherwood Ford off Highway 297. Wear creek shoes and plan on wading in the river if you would like to fully participate in this program. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

2:00 p.m. � Scrip - McCreary County Museum, Stearns, Kentucky - Did the coal miner really �owe his soul to the company store�? Come find out at this afternoon program with Park Ranger Lynn Thornton. Original pieces of scrip will be on display including Stearns Coal Company pieces. This program is being given in cooperation with the Stearns Museum.

4:00 p.m. - It Started with the Gum Tree - McCreary County Museum, Stearns, Kentucky - Join Ranger Lynn Thornton as she tells the story of how the town of Stearns, Kentucky, developed when the Stearns company began. Original photographs will show the history of the town as it grew.

9:30 p.m. � Astronomy - Join Paul Lewis from the University of Tennessee Department of Physics and Astronomy along with National Park Service astronomy volunteers for an opportunity to view the wonders of the night sky. Telescopes will be set up in the parking lot just across from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center for night sky observation.


The press release only listed programs for Saturday. I'm not sure if or when any programs for Sunday or Monday will be announced. To contact the Big South Fork, please click here.


Jeff
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