National Park Service to Update Fire Plan for W.Va. Parks

The National Park Service plans to update the fire management plan for three parks in Southern West Virginia.

The plan would cover New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River.

The park service says the plan needs to be updated to comply with new federal fire policies and to protect natural and cultural resources, the public, and employee and park facilities.

Public comment is being solicited on a scoping document that explains the purpose of the proposed update. The document includes three preliminary alternatives. The park service says public comments will be used in an evaluation each alternative’s environmental impact.

The document can be accessed online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/neri. May 5 is the deadline to submit comments.