Earlier this fall the North Carolina National Forests released the Comprehensive River Management Plan for Wilson Creek.  The plan, as required by law, outlines how the Pisgah National Forest will manage Wilson Creek as a recently designated Wild and Scenic River.  The Forest Service is required to manage the river in a manner that protects the values that led to the river's designation, and they have done just that.

The plan represents scientifically sound and wise river management.  Under the plan, the ecological integrity of the Wilson Creek corridor will be protected through the elimination of logging, mining, road building, and dam building - as well as through proactive measures like streambank restoration using native species.  Non-motorized recreational use will be supported through the creation and management of river and trail access areas that disperse use and provide high quality recreational experiences.  Vehicular use will be limited to existing roads, and non-motorized uses like paddling will be encouraged and supported under the new plan.

Wilson Creek is a beautiful and unique class III-V whitewater stream on the eastern edge of the southern appalachians.  It has a long history of paddling use that is recognized in the plan, and is a favorite of paddlers throughout the south.  The plan also will protect and enhance the upper reaches of Wilson Creek, and ensure that paddlers will be enjoying Wilson Creek for as long as there are paddlers and creeks.        

American Whitewater collaborated with the Forest Service on the creation of the plan, and fully supports it.  We would like to thank the US-Forest Service and all the other people and organizations that worked to protect Wilson Creek as a federally designated Wild and Scenic River. 

You can read the decision notice and plan summary at the following link: http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/grandfather/wilson_creek_dn.pdf