| Bankhead Health and Restoration Project |
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The panel determined the desired future condition of the Bankhead Forest 50 to 100 years into the future. The largest change is the conversion of about 59,000 acres of pine plantations to oak/hickory/pine forests. This will almost double the oak/hickory/pine forest which currently covers 36% of the Bankhead Forest today. Also plans are to develop 4,910 acres of longleaf pine woodland, 13,467 acres of shortleaf pine woodland, and 12,042 acres of oak woodlands. To reach the desired future condition, there will be many small projects. The first five-year plan is underway to begin the conversion. This plan is oriented at thinning fifteen- to forty-five-year-old pine plantations and preparing and planting serious bug damaged areas. The desired future condition will leave the Bankhead Forest with forest communities that are not readily found on private lands. The project plans are to have no impact on canyons, existing recreation facilities, cultural and heritage sites, or sensitive plant communities. The plan offers benefits to many different interests. The biggest benefit to all is that the Bankhead will dramatically increase its native forest communities, creating improved wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities. More areas will be available to outdoor enthusiasts. The local timber industry will have job opportunities into the foreseeable future. Environmental protection groups will see added biological diversity in the forest. The project is turning out to a win-win situation for all involved. Pine plantations are already being thinned and guided to their desired future condition. One beetle-damaged site has been prepared and planted in short leaf pines. All the projects are under the direction of the USFS and yielding good results. Erosion on logging sites is always a threat, and on the sites treated so far, erosion has not been detected. Attendance at panel meetings or on field trips is open to the public. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get on our notification list.
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The drought of the late 1990s killed thousands of acres of loblolly pines throughout Alabama. Facing this threat, the Bankhead Community Liaison Panel determined to improve the health of the Bankhead National Forest. Working with the United States Forest Service (USFS) they generated a plan that would not only improve the forest health, but would restore the 79,000 acres of monoculture pine plantation to native forest communities. The one-species forests had proven to be an easy target for hungry pine beetles. Mixed forest communities have much more resistance to insects and disease.