Allegheny National Forest

The Forest Service brought new concepts in forest management to the Allegheny Plateau — multiple benefits and sustainability. The Organic Act of 1897 introduced the National Forest mission: to improve the forest, provide favorable conditions for water flows, and furnish a continuous supply of wood to meet people’s needs. On these lands, seedlings for tomorrow’s forest are the focus of forest management activities. Watersheds are managed to ensure clear water for fisheries like trout and clean drinking water for all.

Over time, various laws added other benefits like wilderness, heritage resources and grazing to the original ideas of watershed protection and continuous wood supply. The Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act of 1960 recognized outdoor recreation and habitat for wildlife and fisheries.

The motto “Land of Many Uses” captures the National Forest goal of a healthy, vigorous forest that provides wood products, watershed protection, a variety of wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities — not only for us today, but in a sustainable way so future generations can enjoy these benefits, too.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny/

Jakes Rocks Trails

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Jakes Rocks Trails

In recent years several mountain bike trails have been built around the Jakes Rocks area. While you have to watch for bikers, especially on weekends, they are good heavy duty trails even during wet weather.

Forest Road 160 Camping

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Forest Road 160 Camping

There are numerous camping opporunities in enhanced (gravel reinforced parking areas) along Forest Road 160. These sites are rustic, but are free to use -- and are popular on nice summer weekends.

Sugar Bay Wildfire burning in Allegheny National Forest | Local | oleantimesherald.com

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Sugar Bay Wildfire burning in Allegheny National Forest | Local | oleantimesherald.com

WARREN, Pa. — The U.S. Forest Service reported that a wildfire in the Allegheny National Forest's Sugar Bay Area, burning since Monday afternoon, was estimated at 62 acres and was 40% contained Tuesday afternoon.

The Sugar Bay wildfire is located in the Bradford Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest and is burning on Forest Service land on the eastern side of Allegheny Reservoir, just north of Sugar Bay and west of Polly’s Run.

ANF staff were actively engaged in establishing firelines and mitigating safety hazards. The Glade Volunteer Fire Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were providing boat operators and boats to ferry wildland firefighters to the fire.

Suppression efforts Tuesday included the initial size up of the fire and establishing firelines. Wildland firefighters were monitoring the fire and would continue to work toward 100% containment in the coming days.