USFS closes recreation areas and off-highway trails in North Carolina
News, State & National March 27, 2020
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – The United States Forest Service (USFS) has closed recreation facilities in North Carolina’s national forests beginning on March 26. Off-highway trails are also shutdown until May 15.
To protect public health and safety and align with guidance from State of North Carolina health officials and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recreation facilities at recreation sites on the National Forests in North Carolina (NFs in NC) will be temporarily shut down effective March 26. This includes picnic pavilions, shooting ranges and all restrooms, including those at trailheads and other recreation sites.
These shutdowns are in addition to previous announcements about developed campgrounds, several large developed day-use areas, visitor centers, and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail systems, which remain temporarily shut down. Forest visitors can still enjoy non-motorized trails and dispersed camping at this time, as long as they follow social distancing guidelines.
For a list of facilities on the National Forests in North Carolina that are temporarily shut down, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD715959
“We realize our communities and our visitors place high value on the recreation opportunities the Forest has to offer,” said Allen Nicholas, National Forests in North Carolina Forest Supervisor. “A lot of discussion and consideration went into this decision. The health and safety of our employees and the public remain our top priority. We believe people understand the serious risks posed by facilities that draw large numbers of people into close proximity to each other. We appreciate your patience and understanding of our efforts to mitigate those risks to protect public health and safety.”
The National Forests in NC asks members of the public to recreate responsibly by avoiding gathering in groups of more than ten people and not engaging in high-risk activities, like rock climbing, that increase the chance of injury or distress. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19. In addition, visitors can help mitigate resource impacts while recreation sites are shut down by bringing home their trash (pack it in, pack it out), and by appropriately managing human waste by burying it at least six to eight inches deep and 200 feet away from water, trails and recreation sites.
The National Forests in North Carolina Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail systems will be temporarily shut down until May 15, at which time the situation will be reevaluated. This applies to the following OHV areas:
Croatan National Forest – Black Swamp OHV Area
Uwharrie National Forest – Badin Lake OHV Area
Pisgah National Forest – Brown Mountain OHV Area
Nantahala National Forest – Wayehutta OHV Area
These actions are consistent with federal and state health and safety direction to help reduce the impact on emergency responders and limit the spread of COVID-19. Use of the OHV trails strains emergency resources, especially search and rescue crews, at a time when the resources are already limited within the local communities.
As we work through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety is our number one priority. 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.
Murphy/Andrews city halls closed to the public
Community, Murphy NC March 16, 2020
As of today, Monday, March 16, city hall in both the towns of Murphy and Andrews will be closed to public access due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, according to a press release issued by both cities.
The closure is “in an effort to protect our staff and customers,” according to the statements.
“This is a precautionary measure aimed to protect the community. Please use traditional mail or the utility drop box at city hall for water and sewer payments. Customer can call city hall for inquiries about their bill(s),” the statements read.
For the Town of Murphy, customers are asked to “(p)lease call 828-837-2510, ext 1,” while Andrews customers are asked to call “828-321-5111, ext 1, for questions about your bill(s) and/or avoiding late penalties,” the statements read. Both statements say that the cities “will work with customers to ensure late fees are not imposed as a result of this change.”
The closure of the two city halls will not effect other town services.
“Town administration will continue to keep normal operating hours, and all town services … will continue to be provided to the public as we work with state and local health officials during this time,” the statements continue. “The town is encouraging everyone to call town administration, police, fire, and public works in lieu of face to face visits for all non-emergency questions/concerns during this time as well.”
Additionally, the statements say, “We want to remind folks not to put paper towels or disposable wipes in toilets if they were unable to get toilet paper. It seems silly, but if several customers do that in a short period of time, we will have sewer issues.”
Also closing is the Town of Murphy’s public library, according to a statement from Mayor Rick Ramsey issued Sunday, March 15.
“To be as cautious as possible, and in order to protect our staff and the community, the Town of Murphy will close our library until further notice,” Ramsey said in the statement.
The statement goes on, “As the most visited library in the Nantahala Region, which serves many patrons in the demographic identified by public health officials as high risk, we must act proactively.”
Ramsey stated the Town is “working with Nantahala Regional partners to implement drive-by services during this period of closure.”
The statement concludes, “We want to emphasize that the closure is for precautionary reasons only, in order to protect our staff and patrons.”