The U.S. Forest Service is considering a timber project on 117 acres of the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, encompassing sections of Swain, Jackson and Macon counties. 

The project, termed a “crop tree release,” would thin out faster-growing species like red maples and yellow-poplar in order to promote the growth of slower-growing species such as oak and pine, which are considered to be more desirable for timber and wildlife food production. The work will be done in areas that had previously been commercially cleared and planted with oak and pine seedlings. 

Send comments by midnight Dec. 22 to comments-southern- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Joan Brown, Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734. The Forest Service will issue a decision in early 2016.