Wayne National Forest Hosts Students
7/21/22-Facebook-U.S. Forest Service-Wayne National Forest
Kids Fishing Derby to Be Held at Lake Vesuvius on May 21
The Wayne National Forest will host a fun-filled day at Lake Vesuvius for the upcoming JAKES Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 21. Kids and youth aged 4 to 16, accompanied by a parent or guardian, are invited to come out to Lake Vesuvius with their fishing poles, bait, and tackle boxes to take part in the free fishing derby, which includes prizes and a lunch of hot dogs and beverages. Derby registration will open at 9:30 a.m. at the Lake Vesuvius boat ramp, with the competition commencing at 10 a.m.
JAKES, a program developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship. It is dedicated to informing, educating, and involving youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources.
In addition to the fishing competition, the JAKES Take Aim trailer will also be present to set up an outdoor airgun range and teach the basics of range safety, thanks to Lawrence County’s NWTF South Hills Longbeards Chapter. A naturalist will also offer a guided nature hike on the Rock House Trail to view plant and animal life.
More information about the event is available by calling the Wayne National Forest Ironton Ranger District at (740) 534-6500. If possible, participants should bring their own fishing poles, buckets, bait, and chairs. Limited poles and bait will be available for children who do not have their own. All who attend are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather, including bringing hats and sunscreen.
For additional safety of fishing derby attendees, the Lake Vesuvius boat ramp will be closed during the event, but is anticipated to reopen at 3 p.m.
JAKES, a program developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship. It is dedicated to informing, educating, and involving youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources.
In addition to the fishing competition, the JAKES Take Aim trailer will also be present to set up an outdoor airgun range and teach the basics of range safety, thanks to Lawrence County’s NWTF South Hills Longbeards Chapter. A naturalist will also offer a guided nature hike on the Rock House Trail to view plant and animal life.
More information about the event is available by calling the Wayne National Forest Ironton Ranger District at (740) 534-6500. If possible, participants should bring their own fishing poles, buckets, bait, and chairs. Limited poles and bait will be available for children who do not have their own. All who attend are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather, including bringing hats and sunscreen.
For additional safety of fishing derby attendees, the Lake Vesuvius boat ramp will be closed during the event, but is anticipated to reopen at 3 p.m.
National Trails Day 2021
National Trails Day took place on June 5th at the Wayne National Forest in Ironton, Ohio. Establishments from Lawrence County set up areas to answer questions about trails and activities at the Wayne National Forest. The community was invited to come and explore the different trails and activities the forest has to offer.
Wayne National Forest Receives Funding from Great American Outdoors Act
NELSONVILLE, Ohio (Apr. 16, 2021)— The Wayne National Forest is pleased to announce projects that were selected for Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) funding. The Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area Waterline Project will replace the main waterline that supplies potable water to the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area campgrounds and facilities. In addition to the Lake Vesuvius Waterline Project, the Wayne National Forest will renovate selected toilet buildings at various recreation sites, as part of a broader Eastern Region project. These projects are funded through the GAOA that Congress passed in 2020 to provide funding for deferred maintenance and recreation projects on public lands across the nation.
“Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act provides a great opportunity to improve aging recreation facilities across the Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Carrie Gilbert. “We are excited to complete these essential enhancements and improve the visitor experience at our popular recreation sites.”
The Lake Vesuvius Waterline Project, toilet renovations, and selected projects on other national forests will be the first round of improvements to address deferred maintenance, in which needed infrastructure repairs are recognized but delayed until funds become available. Projects on the Wayne National Forest will be advertised for public contracting awards on beta.sam.gov in the next few weeks. In the years to come additional projects are expected to be funded by the GAOA and the Forest is planning opportunities to engage the public on what improvements are important to them.
The GAOA also provides permanent full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) to address deferred maintenance needs for the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and other federal agencies.
These funds will allow the USDA Forest Service to implement more than 500 infrastructure projects essential to the continued use and enjoyment of national forests and grasslands. These funds are critical in helping reduce the Forest Service’s $5.2 billion deferred maintenance backlog. Projects for fiscal year 2021 were prioritized based on strong public support received during previous public engagement efforts, including letters and messages from the public.
“Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act will continue to provide opportunities to improve recreation facilities for the next several years,” concluded Gilbert. “The Wayne National Forest looks forward to working with the public and our partners to help prioritize and plan for these projects.”
“Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act provides a great opportunity to improve aging recreation facilities across the Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Carrie Gilbert. “We are excited to complete these essential enhancements and improve the visitor experience at our popular recreation sites.”
The Lake Vesuvius Waterline Project, toilet renovations, and selected projects on other national forests will be the first round of improvements to address deferred maintenance, in which needed infrastructure repairs are recognized but delayed until funds become available. Projects on the Wayne National Forest will be advertised for public contracting awards on beta.sam.gov in the next few weeks. In the years to come additional projects are expected to be funded by the GAOA and the Forest is planning opportunities to engage the public on what improvements are important to them.
The GAOA also provides permanent full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) to address deferred maintenance needs for the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and other federal agencies.
These funds will allow the USDA Forest Service to implement more than 500 infrastructure projects essential to the continued use and enjoyment of national forests and grasslands. These funds are critical in helping reduce the Forest Service’s $5.2 billion deferred maintenance backlog. Projects for fiscal year 2021 were prioritized based on strong public support received during previous public engagement efforts, including letters and messages from the public.
“Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act will continue to provide opportunities to improve recreation facilities for the next several years,” concluded Gilbert. “The Wayne National Forest looks forward to working with the public and our partners to help prioritize and plan for these projects.”
Wayne National Forest to Open Lake Vesuvius Campgrounds for Partial 2021 Season
PEDRO, Ohio (Mar. 30, 2021) — The Wayne National Forest will be opening the Oakhill and Iron Ridge campgrounds at the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area for the 2021 season on April 23, 2021. The campgrounds will remain open through at least July 11, 2021, before closing again to replace a damaged waterline, while Big Bend Beach will remain closed for the entire 2021 season.
Due to ongoing maintenance projects the campgrounds will operate without running water. Campground guests will instead have access to portable restrooms, handwashing stations, and non-potable water at the dumping station. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Wayne National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/wayne throughout the summer as the campgrounds may be able to remain open longer than July 11.
“Our goal for this season is to provide campers with a fun and comfortable stay,” said Ironton District Ranger, Tim Slone. “We know that camping at Lake Vesuvius is an enjoyable summer experience for many people from both in and out of state, and we’re doing our best to continue to provide that service.”
Campsites will be available by reservation at a fee of $20 per night. Those interested in making a reservation can visit www.recreation.gov.
The campgrounds remained closed for much of the 2020 season due to ongoing breaks and leaks in the approximately 5.7-mile waterline that supplies potable water to the recreation facilities at Lake Vesuvius.
“As construction progresses, we’ll be able to determine if it’s possible to keep the campgrounds open past July 11,” said Slone. “Our goal is consistency, and right now, we’re confident we can keep the campgrounds open until mid-July and provide services like portable toilets and water for the dumping station to make the stay a comfortable, worthwhile experience.”
Due to ongoing maintenance projects the campgrounds will operate without running water. Campground guests will instead have access to portable restrooms, handwashing stations, and non-potable water at the dumping station. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Wayne National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/wayne throughout the summer as the campgrounds may be able to remain open longer than July 11.
“Our goal for this season is to provide campers with a fun and comfortable stay,” said Ironton District Ranger, Tim Slone. “We know that camping at Lake Vesuvius is an enjoyable summer experience for many people from both in and out of state, and we’re doing our best to continue to provide that service.”
Campsites will be available by reservation at a fee of $20 per night. Those interested in making a reservation can visit www.recreation.gov.
The campgrounds remained closed for much of the 2020 season due to ongoing breaks and leaks in the approximately 5.7-mile waterline that supplies potable water to the recreation facilities at Lake Vesuvius.
“As construction progresses, we’ll be able to determine if it’s possible to keep the campgrounds open past July 11,” said Slone. “Our goal is consistency, and right now, we’re confident we can keep the campgrounds open until mid-July and provide services like portable toilets and water for the dumping station to make the stay a comfortable, worthwhile experience.”