The National Forest Service is considering a new recreation management plan for Panthertown Valley, a popular recreation area outside Cashiers that contains the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River and numerous waterfalls.

The valley has seen burgeoning use from all sectors of outdoor recreation — mountain biking, horseback riding, backcountry camping, rock climbing and other uses.

The National Forest Service held a public meeting in December 2003 to solicit input on a plan for managing recreation in Panthertown. The status quo was a free-for-all resulting in Panthertown being “loved to death,” the forest service officials said at the time.

A draft plan will be presented to the public at 6 p.m. on June 23 at the Albert Carleton Cashiers Community Library.

The Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance is inviting representatives of groups, businesses and organizations interested or involved in Panthertown Valley to attend. Those attending will be asked to participate in an open discussion of their reactions to the presentation. The objective is to begin to formulate an action plan to address impact of use and conservation of the Panthertown Valley. The findings of the meeting will be presented to the public in July.

JMCA plans to propose the concept of a “Friends of Panthertown.” This group in partnership with USFS would assist in addressing unmet needs of Panthertown by providing a base of volunteers and funding. JMCA plans to sponsor this group as it organizes.

Those interested in attending the meeting or having questions should contact the JMCA at 828.526.9938, ext. 320, or David Bates, executive director, at 828.226.5216.