Difference between revisions of "George Washington and Jefferson National Forests" - New World Encyclopedia
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | As western Virginia became more settled, the settlers often viewed the forests as land that had to be cleared for more fields. The mountain lands, though eroded and overcultivated, were still desired by outside [[mining]] and timber interests. In the 1820s the combination of [[iron]] and trees to feed the iron furnaces made mining a profitable venture in many areas near the Shenandoah Valley | + | As western Virginia became more settled, the settlers often viewed the forests as land that had to be cleared for more fields. The mountain lands, though eroded and overcultivated, were still desired by outside [[mining]] and timber interests. In the 1820s the combination of [[iron]] and trees to feed the iron furnaces made mining a profitable venture in many areas near the Shenandoah Valley. Repeated cuttings cleared the mountains, [[erosion]] caused streams to become clogged with silt, and [[flood]]s came more frequently and caused greater damage. Perhaps the most insidious effect of industry was [[wildfire]], which burned repeatedly over the mountains. Miners, timber operators, and hunters pushed animal species like [[elk]], white-tailed [[deer]], and wild [[turkey]] to the brink of [[extinction]]. |
A small group of forest reformers introduced bills in Congress to protect the nation's forests. In 1891 the Forest Reserve Act was passed. It authorized the creation of Forest Reserves, the forerunner of what was to become the National Forest system. | A small group of forest reformers introduced bills in Congress to protect the nation's forests. In 1891 the Forest Reserve Act was passed. It authorized the creation of Forest Reserves, the forerunner of what was to become the National Forest system. | ||
| − | Damage to the mountains also extended to the waterways. In 1911 the Weeks Act was passed, which made it possible for the federal government to buy deforested mountain land and protect it for watershed purposes. Land in what was to become the George Washington National Forest was among the first considered for acquisition. | + | Damage to the mountains also extended to the waterways. In 1911 the Weeks Act was passed, which made it possible for the federal government to buy deforested mountain land and protect it for [[watershed]] purposes. Land in what was to become the George Washington National Forest was among the first considered for acquisition. In 1917 three northern Virginia units were combined to become the Shenandoah National Forest, later renamed the George Washington National Forest to avoid confusion with the National Park bearing the same name. |
| − | + | The [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC) also played an important role in the early days of the Forest Service. The first CCC camp in the nation, Camp Roosevelt, was located in the George Washington National Forest. A total of 14 camps were eventually opened on the Forest's lands. The CCC employed 9,200 men in Virginia during the nine years of the program's existence. Their work is still evident today in the roads, campgrounds, picnic shelters, fire towers, and other projects scattered throughout the Forest. | |
| − | + | Between 1945 and 1956, the number of visitors to some areas increased as much as four times. With its proximity to [[Washington, D.C.]], and Richmond, Virginia, George Washington National Forest has always been a popular destination for those who enjoy outdoor recreation. | |
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| − | |||
In 1960 the Multiple-use Sustained-Yield Act was passed by Congress. It stated that national forests shall be administered for outdoor recreation, watershed, range, timber, and wildlife purposes. A wildlife management agreement with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has helped to reestablish turkey, [[bear]], deer, and many other species that were nearly driven to extinction due to unregulated hunting and poor land management practices during the late 1800s. The Threatened and Endangered Species Act of 1973 has also served to protect wildlife and their habitat. | In 1960 the Multiple-use Sustained-Yield Act was passed by Congress. It stated that national forests shall be administered for outdoor recreation, watershed, range, timber, and wildlife purposes. A wildlife management agreement with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has helped to reestablish turkey, [[bear]], deer, and many other species that were nearly driven to extinction due to unregulated hunting and poor land management practices during the late 1800s. The Threatened and Endangered Species Act of 1973 has also served to protect wildlife and their habitat. | ||
Revision as of 15:34, 29 October 2008
| George Washington and Jefferson National Forests | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area) | |
  | |
| Location: | Virginia, West Virginia, & Kentucky, USA |
| Nearest city: | Roanoke, VA |
| Area: | 1,788,739 acres (7,238.77 km²) |
| Established: | 1995 |
| Governing body: | U.S. Forest Service |
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are U.S. National Forests that combine to form one of the largest areas of public land in the Eastern United States. They cover 1.8 million acres (7,300 km²) of land in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The forest extends along the entire length of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Alleghany Mountains to the North Carolina border. Just over one third of the forest is actively used for timber harvesting, with the bulk of that used for furniture manufacturing and pulp for paper products. Approximately one million acres (4,000 km²) of the forest are remote and undeveloped and 89,862 acres (363.66 km²) have been designated as wilderness areas, which eliminates future development.
George Washington National Forest was established on May 16, 1918 as Shenandoah National Forest. On June 28, 1936 the name was changed to George Washington, and on July 22, 1933 Natural Bridge National Forest was added. Jefferson National Forest was established on April 21, 1936 from parts of Unaka National Forest, George Washington, and other lands.[1] The two forests were administratively combined in 1995. North of the James River the forest is called George Washington National Forest. South of the James River it is called Jefferson National Forest. Forest headquarters are located in Roanoke, Virginia.
The northern portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is administered by the National Park Service, runs through the Forest. Over 2,000 miles (3,000 km) of hiking trails go through the forest.
Geography
Virginia's highest point, Mount Rogers, is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, which is part of the forest. Other notable mountains include Elliott Knob, which has one of the last remaining fire lookout towers in the eastern U.S., and White Top Mountain.
Flora and fauna
There are over 500 species of trees and plants and the forest is dominated by various species of oaks and hickories, with maples and pines also common. The American black bear is common enough that there is a short hunting season to prevent overpopulation. White-tailed deer, bobcat, bald eagles, weasel, otter, and marten are also known to inhabit the forest.
Activities
The forests are popular hiking, mountain biking, and hunting destinations. The Appalachian Trail extends for 330 miles (530 km) from the southern end of Shenandoah National Park through the forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The forest is within a two-hour drive for more than 10 million people and receives heavy visitation, especially in the region closest to Shenandoah National Park. Swimming is available in several mountain lakes.
The George Washington National Forest is a popular destination for trail runners. It is the location for several Ultramarathons, including the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 miler, the Old Dominion 100 miler, and the Old Dominion Memorial 100 miler[2].
History
As western Virginia became more settled, the settlers often viewed the forests as land that had to be cleared for more fields. The mountain lands, though eroded and overcultivated, were still desired by outside mining and timber interests. In the 1820s the combination of iron and trees to feed the iron furnaces made mining a profitable venture in many areas near the Shenandoah Valley. Repeated cuttings cleared the mountains, erosion caused streams to become clogged with silt, and floods came more frequently and caused greater damage. Perhaps the most insidious effect of industry was wildfire, which burned repeatedly over the mountains. Miners, timber operators, and hunters pushed animal species like elk, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey to the brink of extinction.
A small group of forest reformers introduced bills in Congress to protect the nation's forests. In 1891 the Forest Reserve Act was passed. It authorized the creation of Forest Reserves, the forerunner of what was to become the National Forest system.
Damage to the mountains also extended to the waterways. In 1911 the Weeks Act was passed, which made it possible for the federal government to buy deforested mountain land and protect it for watershed purposes. Land in what was to become the George Washington National Forest was among the first considered for acquisition. In 1917 three northern Virginia units were combined to become the Shenandoah National Forest, later renamed the George Washington National Forest to avoid confusion with the National Park bearing the same name.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) also played an important role in the early days of the Forest Service. The first CCC camp in the nation, Camp Roosevelt, was located in the George Washington National Forest. A total of 14 camps were eventually opened on the Forest's lands. The CCC employed 9,200 men in Virginia during the nine years of the program's existence. Their work is still evident today in the roads, campgrounds, picnic shelters, fire towers, and other projects scattered throughout the Forest.
Between 1945 and 1956, the number of visitors to some areas increased as much as four times. With its proximity to Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, George Washington National Forest has always been a popular destination for those who enjoy outdoor recreation.
In 1960 the Multiple-use Sustained-Yield Act was passed by Congress. It stated that national forests shall be administered for outdoor recreation, watershed, range, timber, and wildlife purposes. A wildlife management agreement with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has helped to reestablish turkey, bear, deer, and many other species that were nearly driven to extinction due to unregulated hunting and poor land management practices during the late 1800s. The Threatened and Endangered Species Act of 1973 has also served to protect wildlife and their habitat.
Counties
Counties are listed in descending order of forestland area within county. Note that Jefferson National Forest is located in 22 separate counties, more than any other National Forest except Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, which lies in 29 counties. Note also that Botetourt, Monroe, and Rockbridge counties, at the dividing line between the two forests, include parts of both forests. Thirdly, note that the state of Kentucky actually has very little acreage, with its two counties bringing up the tail end of Jefferson National Forest. As of September 30, 2007 George Washington National Forest has a total area of 1,065,389 acres (1,664.7 sq mi, or 4,311.5 km²). There are local ranger district offices located in Bridgewater, Covington, Edinburg, Hot Springs, and Staunton. Jefferson National Forest has a total area of 723,350 acres (1,130.2 sq mi, or 2,927.3 km²). [1] There are local ranger district offices located in Blacksburg, Marion, Natural Bridge, New Castle, and Wise.
George Washington National Forest
- Augusta County, Virginia
- Bath County, Virginia
- Alleghany County, Virginia
- Rockingham County, Virginia
- Shenandoah County, Virginia
- Highland County, Virginia
- Amherst County, Virginia
- Hardy County, West Virginia
- Pendleton County, West Virginia
- Rockbridge County, Virginia
- Page County, Virginia
- Nelson County, Virginia
- Botetourt County, Virginia
- Warren County, Virginia
- Frederick County, Virginia
- Hampshire County, West Virginia
- Monroe County, West Virginia
Jefferson National Forest
- Craig County, Virginia
- Bland County, Virginia
- Smyth County, Virginia
- Botetourt County, Virginia
- Giles County, Virginia
- Wythe County, Virginia
- Wise County, Virginia
- Scott County, Virginia
- Grayson County, Virginia
- Washington County, Virginia
- Rockbridge County, Virginia
- Montgomery County, Virginia
- Pulaski County, Virginia
- Bedford County, Virginia
- Monroe County, West Virginia
- Lee County, Virginia
- Tazewell County, Virginia
- Dickenson County, Virginia
- Carroll County, Virginia
- Roanoke County, Virginia
- Letcher County, Kentucky
- Pike County, Kentucky
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ Davis, Richard C. (September 29, 2005),
PDF, The Forest History Society
- ↑ Run100s ("Run Hundreds") - A Not-For-Profit UltraRunning Corporation
“Prehistoric Southwest Virginia: Aboriginal Occupation, Land Use, and Environmental Worldview,” Smithfield Review 5 (April 2000): 125-151.
“Turnpike Tourism in Western Virginia,” Virginia Cavalcade 48:1 (Winter 1998): 14-23.
“The Potts Valley Branch Railroad and Tri-State Incline Lumber Operation in West Virginia and Virginia, 1892-1932,” West Virginia History 54 (1995): 42-58.
“The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the Rise of Public Involvement in Forest Service Planning,” Environmental History Review 28 (Summer 1994): 41-65.
“An Appalachian Forest: Creation of the Jefferson National Forest and its Effects on the Local Community,” Forest and Conservation History 37:4 (October 1993): 169-178.
“The Great Anti-Fire Campaign,” American Forests, 99:5&6 (May/June 1993): 33-35, 58.
“Green Cove Station: An Appalachian Train Depot and Its Community,” Virginia Cavalcade, 42:2 (Autumn 1992): 52-61.
“Fisheries and Wildlife Management: Part of the History of the Jefferson National Forest,” Virginia Forests, 48:2 (Summer 1992): 6-8.
External links
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