Project proposed to aid bog turtle
Endangered bog turtle. Donated photo
A plan to cut down encroaching trees and shrubs in the White Oak Bottoms bog near Standing Indian Campground in Macon County is accepting public comment through Dec. 9.
The plan, put forth by the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest, is to remove woody vegetation up to 6 inches in diameter at breast height from the bog in an effort to improve habitat for the critically endangered bog turtle. Native to the eastern U.S., the turtle has suffered habitat loss that has been devastating to its numbers. Woody species lower the water table in boggy areas, making the habitat less hospitable for bog turtles.
Under the proposal, encroaching trees and shrubs would be cut and dragged to the edge of the existing bog. Priority would be given to areas where encroachment is more advanced and that have been identified as important bog turtle habitat. Work would be conducted by contract crews working under supervision of U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission wildlife biologists, with chainsaws and hand tools used. No herbicides would be used or ground disturbance occur, with work happening between Oct. 15 and April 15.
Send comments to comments-southern-north-carolinaThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Steverson Moffat, NEPA Planning Team Leader, Nantahala Ranger District, 123 Woodland Drive, Murphy, N.C. 28906; or 828.837.5152.
