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Forest Service says Appalachian Trail segment in Stamford will be relocated onto national forest
Summary
Forest Service officials said the Appalachian Trail will be moved off private land onto national forest in Stamford to provide permanent corridor protection; they also described shelter replacement and a planned bear box to support public-safety measures.
An Agency official told the Stamford Select Board the Appalachian Trail corridor where it crosses the town will be rerouted onto national forest land in partnership with the Green Mountain Club to provide permanent protection for that segment. The speaker said the relocation addresses a stretch currently on private land that "doesn't really offer much protection, permanently for that trail corridor."
Staff reported they recently replaced a shelter and built a new backcountry privy; this summer the Forest Service plans to install a bear box and keep a food-closure order in effect to reduce nuisance-bear interactions. The agency emphasized volunteer and club partnerships—such as crews from the Green Mountain Club and Pre Mountain Club—and cited an estimated 15,000 through-hikers on the trail annually who use the corridor. The relocation and infrastructure work are contingent on funding and coordination with private-landowners and partner clubs.
