News Release

Public Comment Period Open for New River Gorge NPP’s Fire and Vegetation Management Plan Environmental Assessment

Date: August 28, 2024
Contact: Bryan Wender, 304-465-6542

 GLEN JEAN, WV- The National Park Service (NPS) invites interested members of the public to review and provide comments on an Environmental Assessment of potential impacts of a new Fire and Vegetation Management Plan for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River.  The new plan is needed to update fire management activities in the three parks to comply with federal fire policies, achieve ecosystem restoration goals, and protect natural and cultural resources, the public, employees, and park facilities. In the EA, the NPS has identified a preferred alternative that would expand hazardous fuels reduction and prescribed fire activities to cover more acres and use these and other tools to restore important vegetation communities, such as oak forests and meadows.
 
The EA will be available for review on the NPS’ planning website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/NERI-GARI-BLUE-FVMP  starting on September 1 and will be open for public comment through September 30, 2024. The NPS encourages the public to submit comments directly through the website. Those without computer or internet access may mail comments to:

Superintendent
Attn: FVMP EA
PO Box 246
Glen Jean, WV 25846
 
The public is also invited to attend a public meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center at 162 Visitor Center Road, Lansing, WV 25862. At the meeting, the NPS will provide information about the new plan and the preferred alternative and respond to questions from meeting attendees.