Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, announced on August 18 his retirement, effective September 1. Tidwell will be replaced by Tony Tooke, Regional Forester for the Southern Region, which includes the George Washington (GWNF) and Jefferson National Forests. For more on Mr. Tooke, see the article below under Big Picture.

The management changes are particularly relevant because the Forest Service has a major decision pending as to whether the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) should be permitted to cross the GWNF. Comments on a proposal to amend the Monongahela National Forest and GWNF forest plans to accommodate the ACP are due September 5. For more on this, see ABRA Update 140.

Top Management Changes at U.S. Forest Service: Chief Tidwell Retires

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.