| Conservation Groups Appeal Forest Service Plans to log Globe Forest |
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Asheville, NC – Conservation groups met with the U.S. Forest Service yesterday in an attempt to resolve a number of issues surrounding the Globe Forest project, but no agreements were reached. The groups will now pursue their appeal of the agency’s final decision to proceed with its controversial plan to log 212 acres of the Pisgah National Forest, which lies directly below the resort town of Blowing Rock in western North Carolina. The groups’ appeal focuses primarily on the agency’s plans to log old growth forests within the Globe. Field surveys conducted by Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project, now known as Wild South, and the Southern Environmental Law Center revealed that many of the trees range from 100 years old to well over 300 years old. One chestnut oak was determined to be 328 years old. “We alerted the Forest Service of the presence of old growth back in 2006 and asked them to protect these remarkable trees,” said SELC Senior Attorney Doug Ruley, who is representing Wild South, Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, and the Western North Carolina Alliance. “We have worked diligently with District Ranger Malone and her staff—including a field visit to inspect old growth trees—in order to reach a balanced solution. Unfortunately, the Forest Service still plans to log this rare and precious old growth.” For nearly two years, the Globe Project has served as a lightening rod for controversy. Since announcing their plans for the Globe, the Forest Service has received over 1,800 comments from citizens with the vast majority opposed to any logging in the Globe. “We are disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement with the agency,” said Chris Joyell of Wild South, the lead appellant. “The community has spoken loud and clear. They want to see this area preserved, not logged. There is a lot of support—from local businesses and political leaders, as well as the public at large—to designate the Globe basin as a National Scenic Area.” In 2006, the Blowing Rock Town Council, the Boone City Council, and the Watauga County Commission each passed unanimous resolutions opposing the logging and calling for the creation of a Grandfather National Scenic Area. The decision to log the Globe Forest will now undergo an internal agency review to determine whether the project complies with the law. Contacts:
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