The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public feedback on a controversial logging proposal in the Courthouse Creek area of Pisgah National Forest. The WNC Alliance is urging action against it. Here’s the alert from the forest service:
FOREST SERVICE NEWS ALERT
Jan. 11, 2013
Submit a Comment on Courthouse Creek Project
PISGAH FOREST,N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service encourages the public to comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Courthouse Creek project in the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest. All comments should be received by Jan. 18, 2013.
This project is designed to meet the goals and desired conditions set by the Nantahala-Pisgah Land and Resource Management Plan by improving wildlife habitat, creating ecological diversity and promoting healthy and sustainable forests.
The project seeks to:
Improve habitat for important game species such as black bear, grouse and deer.
Improve Golden-winged warbler (a forest concern species) habitat.
Designate an additional 127 acres of old growth areas, adding to the existing 1,386 acres of designated old growth.
Promote oak regeneration through timber harvesting (thinning projects) on 472 acres of the 7,120 acre area, less than 7 percent of the area. There will be no clear cuts, only thinning projects.
Improve trout habitat and restore brook trout.
Remove non-native/invasive plant species.
Plant hybrid American Chestnut trees to determine their viability. This is part of a larger effort to restore Chestnut trees to Southern Appalachian forests.
Address sedimentation and maintenance issues by seasonally closing the Courthouse Creek Road (FR140), replacing a bridge and culverts that are washed out and undersized and decommissioning a portion of the Summey Cove Trail.
Comments can be sent to:
comments-southern-north-carolina-pisgah-pisgah@fs.fed.usLearn more about the proposed project at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=36287
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