BearSmart Communities Initiative

J-MCA has launched a new program which addresses the bear/human co-existence issue on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau region. This collaborative effort is growing; with the hope that everyone living, working and visiting this area will join in.

If your club or organzation, homeowners association, or you as an individual, want to get involved, please contact J-MCA at jmca@dnet.net. Together we can make a difference in saving these special animal neighbors and learning how to co-exist.

Next educational program presented by the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society on Sept. 13th
Highlands Civic & Recreational Center, 7 pm- Appalachian Bear Rescue Presentation.

River Issues

Upper Chattooga River
The US Forest Service has withdrawn its preliminary decision to allow limited boating on the upper Wild & Scenic portion of the river pending further evaluations. A decision is expected in Fall 2010 to decide whether to maintain or change the current Forest Plan management direction for the 3 National Forests involved in NC, GA, and SC relative to existing recreational uses including boating in the upper Chattooga River.

Horsepasture River
The Horsepasture River has been designated by the NC Environmental Management Commission as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW). J-MCA actively participated in the hearing process and recommended that the headwaters area should remain in the current classification of High Quality water, but managed as ORW. Our position hinged on the wastewater needs of the Cashiers area and balancing public and environmental health. J-MCA fully supports the ORW classification with this caveat.

Conservation Action Plan (CAP) for the Upper Little Tennessee River Basin
The Partners for the Little Tennessee (PLT) consists of 15 state, federal and tribal agencies and 9 non-profit organizations (including J-MCA) that have joined together as a dedicated group working to enhance and conserve the natural resources in the Little Tennessee River Basin. The basin area includes the upper Tennessee, Tuckasegee, and Cullasaja Rivers and numerous tributaries. This large scale cooperative effort to protect these rivers and critical habitats for threatened species has identified crucial areas and areas requiring further study, such as the upper Tuckasegee River. The PLT continues to coordinate resources and activities for collaborative efforts, pool our scientific knowledge, and promote public awareness through educational workshops and demonstrations. Visit http://littlebasin.org/the_team.html for more information.