Comment on the Courthouse Timber Sale

On Dec.19, Pisgah National Forest posted the notice for the Courthouse Timber Sale.

This means the public has until Jan. 18 to comment on this 472 acre logging project below Devil's Courthouse in the very headwaters of the French Broad River.

Wild South opposes to this project for many reasons:

1) Logging is planned for 192 acres in an area known as the "Pisgah Ridge/Pilot Mountain Significant Natural Heritage Area" identified by biologists with the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program as one of the most important areas of middle and high elevation forest in North Carolina.

2) Logging will negatively impact at least three rare species: Vasey's azalea, small footed bat, and brown creeper, a bird that thrives in old-growth conditions, and instead create habitat (logged areas) for Golden wing warblers that don't even inhabit the area.

3) Current plans turn this important natural area into a timber farm including 576 acres of past clearcuts, 472 acres of commercial logging, and 357 acres of non-commercial tree cutting. Ignoring any opportunities to improve the wild character of the forest through ecological restoration.

4) Courthouse Creek is an outstanding wild trout stream at the headwaters of the North Fork of the French Broad River. Steep slopes and some of the greatest annual precipitation in eastern North America make erosion after logging and damage to water quality a concern.

5) This landscape contains dozens of significant cultural sites that could be impacted by logging and road building which could attract thieves and looters.

6) Logging is proposed directly adjacent to the popular and scenic Art Loeb Trail and in the view-shed of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Please take action today and voice your concerns about the Courthouse Project to the USFS. We included our concerns in the sample letter below that you can simply add to and send along.

You can find the entire project proposal here.

Subject: Courthouse Project Comments

Your Letter:

I have specific concerns related to the proposed Courthouse Creek Vegetation Management Project.

I am opposed to the 192 acres of logging within the Pisgah Ridge / Pilot Cove State Natural Heritage Area.  This important biological area must be protected and the proposed logging will directly disrupt the integrity and function of this ecologically important area.

I am also opposed to any activities that will either directly or indirectly impact rare species in this area.  Specifically, I am concerned about impacts to Vasey's azalea, small footed bat, and brown creeper, a bird that thrives in old-growth conditions.  The numerous threats to biodiversity that exist should require the utmost consideration and any impact to a rare species must be avoided.

I believe the Forest Service has missed the mark on this project and that the Environmental Assessment should have considered and analyzed an alternative that addressed opportunities for ecological restoration.  Instead, the project includes outdated approaches that only serve to perpetuate the production of timber while ignoring the opportunities to enhance ecological integrity, protect natural communities, and provide ecosystem services.  Furthermore, the management activities proposed will only increase the number of acres of forest that will require restoration in the future.  It is clear that the Forest Service does not have its priorities in order.

I also have concerns about impacts to water quality.  While the EA proposes to replace culverts the very nature of the project will likely exacerbate the problem.  The Forest Service did not consider enough decommissioning of roads or the long term cost of maintaining an already overgrown and unsustainable road system.  Steep slopes and high annual precipitation magnify the need to address this issue.

I am also very concerned about impacts to recreational resources in the area.  While I appreciate the efforts to accommodate mountain bikers and equestrians I oppose any logging near the Art Loeb trail and within the view shed of the Mountains to Sea Trail. The recreation assets of the Pisgah District are unparalleled and should be enhanced rather than harmed.

Finally, I understand this area has many cultural heritage resources and I feel very strongly that these important sites be preserved.  The proposed project could result in cultural sites being damaged and artifacts being looted.

I encourage the Forest Service to recognize that this project is in need of substantial changes to address the concerns I have raised.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments at this time.

Dereck Ibarguen

Pisgah National Forest

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Comment on the Courthouse Timber Sale

Dereck Ibarguen

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