160A Zillicoa Street, P.O. Box 2750, Asheville, NC  28802 
                                                                               

                                                                               
                                                Date:  August 29, 1997         

BLUFF MOUNTAIN ALTERNATIVE ISSUED

ASHEVILLE...The U.S. Forest Service today issued an alternative proposal which

it hopes will end several years of controversy over the Bluff Mountain area of

the Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs, NC.

John Ramey, National Forests in North Carolina Supervisor, said that "Our new

plans for Bluff Mountain are based on the recommendations of a number of

individuals who have worked very hard to design a compromise that responds to

all the public interests in the Bluff Mountain area."

According to Ramey, key elements of the proposal include:

1.  a smaller but more economically efficient timber sale that offers a higher

percentage of sawtimber with only 0.2 miles of road reconstruction and 0.1 mile

of road relocation.

2.  A new trailhead parking area and hiking trail in the Shut In side of Bluff

Mountain.

3.  The creation of quality early successional habitat that will benefit a

number of wildlife species such as ruffed grouse.

4.  Continued protection for the Appalachian Trail corridor.

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5.  Positive steps to begin to correct existing water quality problems

     and illegal ORV use in the Bluff Mountain area.

6.  A commitment to continue to work together with the Hot Springs area

     to promote economic development in Madison County.

"I want to thank all of those who worked with us so hard to reach agreement on

this new preferred alternative for Bluff Mountain," said Ramey. "It is very

gratifying to see representatives from sometimes competing interests to sit

down together, really listen to each other, and then work together to find

creative solutions that respond to everyone's concerns."

Mary Kelly, of Madison County Forest Watch, added, "We are pleased we could

work something out that will be of lasting benefit to the communities around

Bluff Mountain.  We appreciate the hard work of the Forest Service, the

understanding of the timber industry and the support we got from the

community."

Steve Henson, habitat chairperson of the Southern Appalachian Chapter of the

Ruffed Grouse Society said, " Our effort to keep timber harvesting as a major

wildlife enhancement tool on public lands has been served in the Bluff

compromise."

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Page 3 of 3

Lark Hayes, attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center added, "With

the release of this revised Bluff Mountain proposal, we are moving forward

through all the appropriate steps, including gathering additional public, to

implement the hard-won consensus of late spring."

After a 30 day public review period, the U.S. Forest Service expects to issue

the final decision on the revised Bluff Mountain project  in October, 1997.

Project implementation could begin in 1998.

Note to reporters, for more information contact any of the following:

Terry Seyden  U.S. Forest Service                          704-257-4202
Nann Guthrie  N.C. DEHNR                                   704-251-6208
Lark Hayes    Southern Env. Law Center                     919-967-1450
Elmer Hall    Hot Springs business owner                   704-622-7206
Steve Henson  Ruffed Grouse Society                        704-452-9712
Mary Kelly    Madison County Forest Watch                  704-656-8208
Jack Swanner  Southern Appalachian Multiple Use Council    704-586-4044
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