Following the ribbon-cutting, there will be an open house from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. The open house will feature appearances by Smokey and Woodsy Owl at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., along with a fire engine and fire prevention display.
Located on land donated by Georgia Power, this facility is a "green" building and was constructed using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.
"As an architect with the Forest Service, I have found that the LEED standards are a natural extension of the work we have been doing. LEED is a great tool to help the Forest Service achieve its commitment to sustainability throughout the Forest Service," said Maurice Hoelting, regional architect for the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service.
LEED is a performance-oriented system where credits are earned for satisfying criteria designed to address specific environmental impacts in the design and construction of buildings. It evaluates environmental performance, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a "green" building. LEED buildings are rated as certified silver, gold or platinum. The intent of LEED is to assist in the creation of high performance, healthy, durable, cost-effective and environmentally sound buildings.
District Ranger Dave Jensen said, "The LEED concepts utilized in our new office are tremendous. I am very pleased with the office and the innovations that have been incorporated, as well as the overall design and appearance of the building. I believe the building really compliments the architecture and environment in northeast Georgia."
In March 2006, Jensen announced that the Tallulah District would be combined with the Chattooga District to become the Chattooga River District with a new office in Tallulah Falls. The district office is only the first phase of a new complex that is anticipated to be completed in the next 5-10 years and will include a work center and a helibase that will also be built on land donated by Georgia Power.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/5/220498