Prescribed Fires to Begin in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

During the next 6 - 8 weeks, National Park Service fire crews will be conducting a series of prescribed fires within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The prescribed fires, as defined in the Fire Management Plan, will all be located within the boundaries of the park. Plans call for burns of varying size to occur at locations in Tennessee.

Through years of scientific research it has been learned that fire is an essential, natural process. It has helped shape our woodlands for thousands of years, and is important for the survival of many plants and animals. Fires removes the layers of dead and down trees, leaves and other vegetation from the forest floor that can inhibit plant growth and recycles the nutrients back in to the environment. Fire also increases the diversity of plant and wildlife habitat. Some plants, such as American Chaffseed, have disappeared from the park because they need fire to reproduce.

In 2004 the Big South Fork NNRA completed a Fire Management Plan and began a long term project to restore the role of fire in the ecosystem. The park uses prescribed fires to reintroduce fire into the natural landscape. These prescribed fires are ignited by park staff only when weather conditions are most likely to recreate the low intensity fires that have occurred naturally in this region for thousands of years. Four units are scheduled for prescribed fire this year.

* The Darrow Ridge East Project is located along the western edge of the park in Fentress County TN. The project encompasses approximately 520 acres of land along the park boundary near the Timber Ridge Horse Camp.

* The Gobblers Knob B-1 Project is located in the Northwestern area of the park in Scott County TN. The project encompasses approximately 531 acres of land along the park boundary near the intersection of Divide Road and Terry Cemetery Road.

* The Gobblers Knob B - 2 Project is located in the Northwestern area of the park in Scott County TN. The project encompasses approximately 821 acres of land along the park boundary near the Terry Cemetery.

* The Burke Place Project is located along Highway 297 in Scott County TN just east of the Scott/Fentress County line. The project includes 8 Grass Fields encompassing a total of approximately 27.5 acres.

Ignitions are scheduled to occur in February, March and April. Only when the weather and other conditions meet the defined prescription will the fires be ignited. Ignitions will not occur every day.

In addition to meeting specific conditions, crews of up to 25 firefighters and several engines will be on hand for each burn. Any park neighbor who may be impacted will be contacted prior to ignition. During a prescribed burn all roads and trails in the burn area will be temporarily closed for visitor safety.

You may contact the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at 423-286-7275 for the latest information on the current status of the prescribed burns and associated closures.






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Reward Offered for Information Concerning Death of Black Bear in BSF

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Superintendent Niki Nicholas announced today that a $500 reward is being offered to anyone that provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the illegal killing of a black bear in the Big South Fork NRRA. The adult female bear was left in the woods and found by local hunters on Thanksgiving Day. There is no legal hunting season for bears in the Big South Fork NRRA or any lands surrounding the National Area.

The bear is believed to be the same female with two cubs that had been frequently seen in the same general area by many visitors to the park. The cubs are helpless without their mother and are not likely to survive due to their age. This poaching incident has essentially caused the death of three bears.

Anyone who has information about the incident is encouraged to call the National Area at (423) 569-9778 or use the tip line number at (423) 569-2404, extension 505.


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Public comments sought for Oil & Gas Mgmt Plan for Big South Fork

The National Park Service has developed a Draft Non-federal Oil and Gas Management Plan (Plan) and Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River. The purpose of the Plan/DEIS is to analyze alternative approaches, clearly define a strategy, and provide guidance to ensure that activities undertaken by owners and operators of private oil and gas rights, as well as activities undertaken by the NPS, are conducted in a manner that protects resources, visitor use and experience, and human health and safety at both parks. The Plan/DEIS describes and analyzes the potential impacts of three alternatives. Upon conclusion of the decision making process, one of the alternatives will become the Non-federal Oil and Gas Management Plan for both parks and will guide oil and gas management for a period of 15 to 20 years.

The document is currently available for review and public comment until August 16, 2011. Comments will help to provide essential input for the final Plan and EIS. Public participation is vital to the planning process. CDs or hard copies of the Plan/DEIS may be requested by mail or phone by contacting:

Superintendent
Big South Fork NRRA
4564 Leatherwood Rd.
Oneida, Tennessee 37841

Phone: (423) 569-9778


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