Forest service considers land exchange

CLAYTON - Dave Jensen, District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, says the U.S. Forest Service is considering a proposal for a multi-party land exchange that will involve land in Rabun, White, Putnam, Murray, and Jasper counties. Parties in this proposed exchange include the Rabun County Board of Commissioners; the Rabun County Board of Education; a private citizen, Larry Cooper; and the U.S. Forest Service.

"We believe that this proposal has benefits for adding some unique, ecologically rich and scenic lands to the national forest system while benefiting Rabun County residents for years to come," Jenson said.

The land exchange process is an invaluable tool for the U.S. Forest Service to address land and resource management needs. Within this particular proposal, the federal government would convey approximately 323 acres to the exchange proponents and would receive approximately 759 acres as part of the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests.

"Land exchanges are considered on the appraised value of the tracts and rarely result in an acre for acre exchange," explained Jensen.

Within Rabun County, one tract that is proposed to be exchanged is a national forest tract which lies adjacent to the Rabun County landfill. Conveying this tract to the county would allow the county to resolve issues with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division over current leakage from the
landfill and would allow for better monitoring of the site thus saving local taxpayers in potential expense. Two tracts to be conveyed out of government ownership are located close to the Rabun County High School and Middle School complex and would allow the Rabun County Board of Education to provide for long-term school system expansion.

The remaining tracts within Rabun County to be divested from National Forest ownership are three very small tracts which, due primarily to size and location, are inefficient to manage by the Forest Service. Jensen said they were significantly impacted by the recent widening of U.S. 441. (A location map of all tracts involved in this exchange may be found on the U.S. Forest Service website.)

The Forest Service in exchange would receive lands to provide an administrative site for the Conasauga Ranger District and the Chattooga River Ranger District. A tract near Yonah Mountain in White County would allow the Forest Service to protect scenic values and acquire a key inholding. Another tract to be acquired for National Forest ownership is the Cliff Creek tract which lies within the Chattooga River watershed.

The Forest Service is now accepting all public comments on this proposal. For specific information about the proposal and the tracts involved, visit www.fs.fed.us/conf/. All comments to the Forest Service on this proposal should be postmarked by January 22, 2008. Written comments should be addressed to Blaine Boydstun, U.S. Forest Service, 1755 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, Georgia 30501. You may comment by email to Blaine Boydstun.

For additional information about the proposed land exchange, contact Lands Specialist Blaine Boydstun at (770) 297-3062 or District Ranger David Jensen at (706) 782-3320.