The U.S. Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes has canceled its controversial Pisgah Bay Project as proposed after months of public outcry.
In a statement, Land Between the Lakes Area Supervisor Tina Tilley said officials will likely consider smaller projects within the 5,000 acre Pisgah Bay area to address erosion, road and trail maintenance, and campsite access.
The original project called for logging and burning to improve forest health. Opponents’ main contention included another project goal of restoring the land to pre-European settlement conditions.
“It’s a huge victory for the coalition, it’s a huge victory for Lyon County and Trigg and all those around here," said Lyon County Judge/Executive Wade White, one of the project's chief critics.
"Doesn’t mean the battle is over. There’s a lot of things we’ll have to be involved in. But it does show that Ms. Tilley is willing to listen to our concerns and make moves."
The Forest Service’s Jan Bush said the project cancellation allows for collaborative decision-making with the public. She said the entire Forest Service is following a new rule that went into effect in May.
“And so we’ve been adapting to the new planning rule, which calls for collaboration," she said. "A lot more than what we have done in the past. We’ve been working with the public more closely and trying to engage the public in our decision making processes.”
White said the Coalition for the Preservation of the Land Between the Lakes is holding a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Lyon County Convention Center to discuss their concerns with land management practices at the national recreation area.
(Image via landbetweenthelakes.us)