| Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest | |
|---|---|
 Spring in the Chattahoochee National Forest | |
  | |
| Location | Georgia, United States |
| Nearest city | Ellijay, GeorgiaSummerville, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 34°45′49″N84°06′56″W / 34.763611°N 84.115556°W /34.763611; -84.115556 |
| Area | 867,265 acres (3,509.70 km2) |
| Max. elevation | Brasstown Bald: 4,784 ft. (1,458 m)34.8744, -83.8111 |
| Established | July 9, 1936 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest |
TheChattahoochee–Oconee National Forest in northernGeorgia comprises twoUnited States National Forests, the Oconee National Forest in eastern Georgia and the Chattahoochee National Forest located in the North Georgia Mountains. The Chattahoochee National Forest is composed of an eastern and western forest. The western forest containsJohns Mountain, Little Sand Mountain, andTaylor Ridge. The combined total area of the Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest is 867,265 acres (3,510 km2), of which the Chattahoochee National Forest comprises 751,069 acres (3,039 km2) and the Oconee National Forest comprises 116,196 acres (470 km2).[1] The county with the largest portion of the eastern forest isRabun County, Georgia, which has 148,684 acres (601.7 km2) within its boundaries.
Numerous animals can be found in this forest including birds such as species ofhawk, species ofowl,blackbirds,ducks,eagles,sparrows,hummingbirds, geese, and cardinals. Mammalian species that roam in the forest areAmerican black bear,shrew,coyote, a variety ofbats,squirrel,beaver,river otter,bobcat,deer,weasel, mice, andfoxes. The forest is known to be home to the mysterious blue glow of the Blue ghost firefly,Phausis reticulata, and many species of fish and amphibians swim in the many streams and lakes; also various species of reptile inhabit the forest. The area is also one of the select wilderness areas to someday reintroduce the critically endangeredred wolf.
The Chattahoochee National Forest takes its name from theChattahoochee River whoseheadwaters begin in theNorth Georgia mountains.[2] The River and the area were given the name by the English settlers who took the name from the Indians living here. TheCherokee andCreek Indians inhabited North Georgia. In one dialect of theMuskogean languages,Chatta means stone;ho chee, marked or flowered. These marked or flowered stones were in the Chattahoochee River at a settlement nearColumbus, Georgia.
In 1911, theUnited States Forest Service purchased 31,000 acres (125 km2) of land inFannin,Gilmer,Lumpkin andUnion Counties from the Gennett family for $7 per acre. This land was the beginning of what would become the Chattahoochee National Forest. The initial land purchases became a part of theCherokee National Forest on June 14, 1920.
RangerRoscoe Nicholson, who was the firstforest ranger in Georgia and had advised the Forest Service in its initial land purchases, continued the growth of the Chattahoochee by negotiating the purchase of most of the Forest Service land in what is now the Chattooga River Ranger District. TheColeman River Scenic Area nearClayton, Georgia was dedicated to "Ranger Nick", as he was called, in honor of his promotion of conservation ideals.
RangerArthur Woody also promoted conservation and was a key figure in the early development of the Chattahoochee. Unwise land and resource use had caused the deer andtrout populations to virtually disappear in theNorth Georgia mountains and Woody brought trout and deer back to the area. The trout were shipped to Gainesville, hauled across the narrow, dirt, mountain roads and eventually released in thestreams. Woody also purchased fawns with his own money, and fed them until they could be released on what became theBlue Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Many landmarks in the Chattahoochee bear Ranger Woody's name in tribute to his work.Sosebee Cove, a 175 acres (0.7 km2) tract of prize hardwood along GA 180 is set aside as a memorial to Woody, who negotiated its purchase for the Forest Service.
Woody also helped build a school, in Suches GA, where he was born, which was later named after him, Woody Gap School, the smallest public school in Georgia. current enrollment is around 60 students total, K-12.
On July 9, 1936, the Forest Service was reorganized to follow state boundaries and PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed the Chattahoochee a separate National Forest. In 1936, the Chattahoochee was organized into two Ranger Districts, the Blue Ridge and the Tallulah.
In 1959, PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed 96,000 acres (388 km2) of federal lands incentral Georgia as the Oconee National Forest. The Oconee then joined the Chattahoochee to become the Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forests of today.
TheChattooga River was designated aWild and Scenic River during the 1970s. The Chattooga remains one of the few free-flowing streams in the Southeast and is known for itswhite water rafting and scenery.[citation needed] The movieDeliverance was filmed on the Chattooga River, which became the fictional Cahulawassee River in the movie.
The Chattahoochee National Forest today covers 18 north Georgia counties. The Chattahoochee currently has three ranger districts:
It includes over 2,200 miles (3,500 km) of rivers and streams (including about 1,367 miles (2,200 km) oftrout streams). There are over 450 miles (720 km) ofhiking and other recreation trails, and 1,600 miles (2,600 km) of "roads." In addition to the Chattooga River and the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, natural attractions within it boundaries include the beginning of the 2,174-mile (3,499 km)Appalachian Trail, Georgia's highpoint,Brasstown Bald andAnna Ruby Falls.
The Chattahoochee also includes ten wildernesses that are part of theNational Wilderness Preservation System, all of which are managed by the United States Forest Service. Parts of these wilderness extend outside Chattahoochee National Forest, as indicated. The wildernesses are:
The Oconee National Forest today is spread over eight Georgia counties and is organized into one ranger district. The Oconee Ranger District maintains several hiking and other recreational trails in the forest. Forest headquarters are located inGainesville, Georgia.
Listed below are the counties with land in the Forest showing the area and the relevant ranger districts.[3]
The Oconee National Forest is almost halfway betweenMacon andAthens. There are two major man-made lakes within the boundaries of the Oconee Ranger District, both on the Oconee River.Lake Sinclair lends its water and name to Lake Sinclair Recreation Area in Putnam County. This is the major recreation area of the Oconee Ranger District and offers camping, boating, fishing and swimming. Redlands Recreation area is located on Lake Oconee in Greene County and offers boating, picnicking and fishing. Oconee River Recreation Area, farther upstream and near the northern boundary of the National Forest, offers camping and boating. There are many miles of hiking and equestrian trails within the forest and one trail for dirt bikes and four-wheelers. Hunt camps dispersed throughout the district are temporarily home to hundreds of hunters who enjoy the forest during deer hunting season. An active timber program insures the health of the forest. The highest point in Oconee National Forest is 721 ft. (220 m), overlooking Town Creek at 33.6511, -83.1317.
