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Parkway Detour in effect near Ridgeland
An 8-mile section of the Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic on March 14, 2012, due to a major safety hazard that has developed near milepost 94.8 between Ridgeland, MS, and Clinton, MS. More »
Woody Debris Reduction Projects
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Contact: Shawn Nagle, 662-680-4028
The National Park Service Wildland Urban Interface Initiative (WUII) is designed to decrease wildfire hazard in areas where urban environments adjoin wildland areas. Over the past several years, there has been an accumulation of downed limbs, trees, and brush in many locations along the Natchez Trace Parkway. This material has become “hazardous fuel,” capable of supporting wildfires. Since the Parkway boundary is adjacent to non-federal lands, both developed and undeveloped, the threat of private property loss from a wildland fire is potentially great. In order to provide adequate defensible firefighting space and to aid in the prevention of wildfire, the Natchez Trace Parkway will be working to remove hazard fuels at the following locations:
From April through July, dead woody debris on the forest floor will be removed. During this time, expect to see contracting crews working in the forest along the Parkway. Gathered debris may be piled in the mowline of the Parkway while crews are working. No live vegetation will be removed. Mechanical hazard fuel reduction is an especially important method to protect Parkway natural and cultural resources, protect adjacent private landholdings, and to provide a safe and aesthetically-pleasing environment to Parkway visitors. This project is addressed by the Parkway’s General Management and Natural Resource Management Plans. |
Did You Know?
The double arch bridge at milepost 438 on the Natchez Trace Parkway was completed in 1994 and received the Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995 for its innovative design. The bridge rises 155 feet above the valley and eliminates the need for spandrel columns.