Forest Service finalizes project to restore hardwood forests
File photo
The Forest Service released its final decision on the Crossover Project, which seeks to restore and strengthen native hardwood forests on more than 1,900 acres of the Nantahala National Forest throughout the Snowbird Mountains near Topton.
Work on the Crossover Project started in 2017 with the goal of making the area healthier and more enjoyable for visitors.
The plan focused on creating more young forest habitats and bringing back native plants, which have become rare over time due to early 20th century timber and fire management practices.
Adding young forest areas will benefit wildlife by creating sunny openings in the forest canopy. Oak trees and native plants, like grasses and wildflowers, thrive with sunnier conditions. The project will also improve aquatic habitats for several species, including brook trout, hellbenders and smoky dace.
Co-stewardship of ancestral tribal lands is one of the cornerstones of this project. Recognizing the importance of incorporating Tribal values and traditional ecological knowledge into forest management, the Forest Service entered a Tribal Forest Protection Act agreement with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 2023. The act provides a mechanism for tribes to collaborate more closely with the Forest Service on forest management projects occurring on ancestral lands, like Crossover.
The final Environmental Assessment and Decision Notice for the Crossover Project are available at fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/projects/56347.
