ABRA has unveiled the first phase of its National Forest Integrity Project (NFIP). The project, part of ABRA’s Conservation Hub, is a monitoring program created to track proposed and ongoing projects in the three National Forests that are located within the Central Appalachian Highlands (Monongahela in West Virginia and George Washington and Jefferson in Virginia).

The NFIP will support informed review of proposed Forest Service land and water management projects, as well as other public and private-use projects in the National Forests. The link to the NFIP is https://nfip-abra.hub.arcgis.com.

The NFIP is believed to be the first NFS monitoring project of its kind in the nation.

The first phase of the NFIP covers ongoing projects within the Monongahela National Forest. This Spring, projects in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests will be added to the NFIP.

Projects within the National Forests are important to the lands and communities surrounding them due to the number of streams and rivers that flow out of and though them. The health of the National Forests and the vegetation and wildlife within them are critical to the overall ecological balance of the Central Appalachian Highlands.

The importance of closely monitoring National Forest projects is underscored by an objection filed in January with the Eastern Region office of the U.S. Forest Service (NFS) concerning the environmental impact analysis NFS conducted for the Greenbrier Southeast project in Pocahontas County, West Virginia (see story, below, on Page 2)

National Forest Integrity Project Launched by ABRA

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.