“Chemical defoliation creates an environmental eyesore that detracts from the natural beauty, which has gotten uglier and uglier week by week.”
![](https://mountainx.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/X_letters-480x320.jpg)
“Chemical defoliation creates an environmental eyesore that detracts from the natural beauty, which has gotten uglier and uglier week by week.”
Months of debate, studies and discussion about where Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation should build 2.5 miles of power lines have come to a halt: In January, REMC filed a 25-page request for an easement that would let the utility build power lines through Box Creek Wilderness, a 5,100-acre forest tract that straddles the county line between Rutherford and McDowell. Local groups and the property owner have launched a campaign against it, including a petition, Facebook page and video. (Image courtesy of Unique Places to Save)