Alert: Forest Service road maintenance to temporarily close Mulky Gap Road
News, Press Release December 3, 2020
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (December 2, 2020) – The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily closing Mulky Gap Road (FS Road 4) on the Blue Ridge Ranger District to allow road maintenance work between Mulky Gap and Duncan Ridge Road. Work is scheduled to begin Dec. 7, 2020, and be complete on Dec. 23. The road will be open to public use on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each week during the construction period.
Our highest priorities are visitor and employee safety. Repairs to the road are necessary for public safety after storms led to landslides and hazardous conditions. The Forest Service is advising visitors to avoid this road during road maintenance work for personal safety and the safety of workers. Mulky Gap road, located on the Blue Ridge Ranger District, provides access to Cooper Creek Recreation Area and Mulky Campground, located in Union County, Ga. The temporary road closure will extend to the north from the campground up to the gap where the road is crossed by the Duncan Ridge Trail.
Sustainable roads, trails and facilities are essential for the management, protection, public use and enjoyment of 193 million acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands, as well for meeting the Forest Service’s goal of managing the healthy forests and watersheds. This infrastructure is maintained by engineers to provide public access to national forests, as well as agency access for natural resources and fire management. Challenges include accessibility and sustainability of this infrastructure. Managing a national forest like the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest requires the efforts of not only dedicated employees, but many partners and volunteers who contribute to the successful management of forest resources as well as providing services to forest visitors like you.
Please visit the Recreation Condition Report to learn the current status for developed recreation sites: www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation.
Remember, your safety is your responsibility. As always, please keep yourself, others and our responding personnel safe by making thoughtful decisions, staying aware of weather conditions, and heeding the advice of your local and state authorities.
Stay connected with us to view alerts related to possible hazards and additional closures on the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests on Facebook and twitter @ChattOconeeNF and on our website at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.
Stay safe! We are thinking of you during this time, and appreciate your understanding.
About the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
To receive instant alerts and updates on forest information, follow @ChattOconeeNF on Twitter and Facebook or visit us on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.
National forest closes camping, group rec sites
News March 21, 2020
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Camping and group recreation sites on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests have been closed indefinitely for the health and safety of visitors and staff. In response to guidance from State of Georgia health officials and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), camping and group recreation sites will be closed effective today, (March 21). This will include picnic pavilions and all restrooms, including at recreation sites and trailheads.
“As we work through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety is our number one priority,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Edward Hunter. “We are committed to continuing to support our communities and fulfill our mission as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.”
In addition to closing camping and group recreation sites, all Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests offices are operating virtually until further notice. This means most employees are teleworking and are no longer doing any business in person. To protect the health and safety of our employees and customers, we also are not scheduling face-to-face meetings. However, continuing our service to the public during this time is very important. Customers needing information, permits and maps are encouraged to visit the website or call the nearest office during regular business hours for assistance:
CONF district map Chatsworth 706-695-6736
Blairsville 706-745-6928
Lakemont 706-754-6221
Eatonton 706-485-7110
Gainesville 770-297-3000
Notifications to visitors making reservations through Recreation.gov will be made as soon as possible and refunds will be processed.
Please see a list of facility closures on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests by visiting (scroll down to Closures): www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/conf/alerts-notices
By closing campsites and group recreation sites, the USDA Forest Service is taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of employees and the public. The health and safety of employees and the nearby communities is always our top priority at the USDA Forest Service. Please remember to review current recommendations from the CDC and focus on recreating safely while protecting yourself, Forest Service employees and our volunteers.
Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use, but please recreate responsibly and follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High risk activities such as rock climbing or motorized activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided. For the most current and accurate information about COVID-19, contact your local health officials or visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov. Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available at: www.usda.gov/coronavirus.
Visitors are encouraged to review the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests’ website for updates and more information, at: www.fs.usda.gov/CONF.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
About the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
To receive instant alerts and updates on forest information, follow @ChattOconeeNF on Twitter and Facebook or visit us on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com