State backs off plan to restore grassland on the Cumberland Plateau by clearing hardwoods

State game wardens are scaling back plans to restore native grasslands on the Cumberland Plateau in the 10,000-acre Bridgestone Wilderness.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency faced resistance from the White County Board of Commissioners and outdoor enthusiasts around the state because the leaked plan included clearing timber near the Virgin Falls State Natural Area. Bidding by timber companies to harvest the trees was supposed to begin last month.

TWRA is trying to restore habitat for bobwhite quail, whose numbers have plummeted. The agency says 99% of historical native grassland in the state is gone and that dense tree canopy with no grasslands makes for “biological deserts” since vegetation remains dormant on the forest floor.

TWRA’s executive director, Bobby Wilson, says the decision to suspend the project was made in response to community objections, but the agency believes it “is not based on the best science or what’s best for wildlife.”

TWRA is still planning to proceed with restoring native grasslands on the southern portion of the Bridgestone Wilderness, though the precise acreage is unclear.

More: See a map of the area here

The initial project was supposed to clear 230 acres with another 1,000 acres converted to grasslands in future years.