Tuberville, Rogers, ATF work to expand Talladega National Forest
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Proposed proclamation boundary addition would include portion of Coosa County
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
On Tuesday U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers introduced the Talladega National Forest Expansion Act, with the Alabama Trails Foundation working with the legislators to expand the Talladega National Forest.
The expansion of the Talladega National Forest proclaimed boundary would ultimately allow federal resources to acquire lands to support the completion of the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail System. However, the lands could only be acquired from willing sellers.
Tuberville, Rogers and the ATF state that the legislation would “strengthen conservation efforts and boost tourism in the area.”
As introduced, the Talladega National Forest Expansion Act would expand the proclamation boundary of the national forest by approximately 50,000 acres in three counties. While Talladega and Clay counties are included, the greatest area of the proposed proclamation boundary addition falls within Coosa County, in the Weogufka area.
According to the ATF, the bill would give specifically the U.S. Forest Service, or USFS, the authority to purchase land from willing sellers, thus “stimulating the local economies and promoting conservation in the surrounding areas.”
“The Talladega National Forest is one of many reasons to visit Alabama,” said Sen. Tuberville in a press release. “From beaches to mountains to forests to lakes, we truly have it all in our state. But we have to make sure we take the right steps to conserve our resources. By expanding the proclamation boundary, we will boost tourism in surrounding towns and keep the forest beautiful for years to come. I’m thankful to be working with Rep. Rogers to expand the Forest’s boundaries and ensure continued economic and agricultural prosperity in our great state.”
Rep. Rogers said, “I was glad to join Coach Tuberville in this effort to allow the expansion of the boundary of the Talladega National Forest by 50,000 acres. The proposed expansion to complete the southern portion of the Pinhoti Trail will provide a large boost to our local outdoor tourism industry. I was glad to work closely with our local leaders on this legislation and am hopeful to see an undivided Pinhoti Trail in the near future.”
The Alabama Trails Foundation reported that the introduced legislation represents “an important step forward for Alabama’s trails,” further stating that the southern section of the Pinhoti Trail System would be completed upon the USFS purchasing the proposed lands from willing sellers.
The Pinhoti Trail’s southern terminus is on Flagg Mountain in the Weogufka area, attracting numerous hikers to Flagg every year. The trail’s lowest point above sea level, at 545 feet, is close to Weogufka Creek near the Weogufka State Forest.
In background information relating to the legislation, it was stated, “The Pinhoti Trail, part of the Talladega National Forest, is Alabama’s longest-distance hiking trail. Currently the trail is interrupted by 15 miles of road walks between its southernmost portions. This legislation would allow those lands to be acquired by the USFS, improve trail maintenance efforts and improve hiker safety by transforming the 15 miles of road walks into off-road trails.”
The Alabama Trails Foundation has collaborated with county commissions, state legislators and local hiking groups to bring this opportunity to Alabama’s landscape.
The Coosa County Commission, Talladega County Commission, Clay County Commission, and Alabama Trails Foundation have all endorsed the legislation. The Coosa County Commission considered a resolution at its August 2023 meeting for the Talladega National Forest Service to expand its boundary into Coosa County, but after much discussion a motion to adopt the resolution failed for a lack of a second.
At the September 2023 meeting, Cindy Ragland, executive director with Alabama Trails Foundation, was able to attend the Commission meeting to provide further information and answer questions while the commissioners considered a resolution regarding the national forest boundary in Coosa County.
After Ragland provided more information, in September 2023 the Commission approved and adopted the resolution in support of expanding the proclamation boundary.
“The Alabama Trails Foundation applauds the leadership of Sen. Tuberville and Congressman Rogers in introducing this important legislation,” said Paul DeMarco, president, Alabama Trails Foundation. “The expansion of the Talladega National Forest represents a legacy of commitment to outdoor recreation and conservation. It lays the foundation for making the Pinhoti Trail an even more popular destination and positions East Alabama to continue growing an outdoor recreation economy into a powerhouse that spotlights the importance of Alabama’s natural resources.”
The ATF reported that, starting with a strategic plan for the Pinhoti Trail to help guide the process, it has pushed for steady momentum that “deepens the connection between trail user and the larger community of East Alabama.”
“With our partners at the Alabama Forestry Commission and others, our efforts at the southern gateway at Flagg Mountain have improved access for everyone, protected our treasured history and firmly planted the starting point of the trail atop the first 1,000 foot mountain in the Appalachian mountain chain,” the ATF reports. “From here, a hiker can make their way all the way to Maine without ever stepping foot in a car.”
The full three-page text of the introduced legislation can be read at www.tuberville.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/ARP252191.pdf.
Since its establishment in 1936, the proclaimed boundary of the Talladega National Forest has been adjusted nine times, most recently in the 1990 Farm Bill.
