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August 27, 2009
In late July, 2009, WildLaw filed an administrative appeal of a proposed timber sale, called the Harmon Den Project, on the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Representing Wild South and the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, the appeal focused in large part on the impact from current roads in the project area as well as the Forest Service's approach to dealing with cumulative impacts from past and future timber harvests.
After meeting informally with the district staff to attempt to resolve the appeal issues in advance of a formal decision, WildLaw and its clients were not satisfied with the proposals from the Forest Service. Accordingly, the appeal was reviewed in the Regional Office, and the appeal reviewing officer found significant problems with the analysis and proposal put forth by the Appalachian Ranger District. It was sent back to the Forest Supervisor, and subsequently the project was withdrawn.
"While there are significant aspects of this project we support, there were a couple of issues of ecological significance we just couldn't get past. We look forward to working with the good folks at the Appalachian Ranger District to find a mutually agreeable path to move this project forward", commented WildLaw Senior Attorney Steve Novak.
For more information, contact Steve Novak at 828-280-2785, or steve@wildlaw.org.
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