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by KARISSA WOJCIK
Intern Online Reporter
Just south of Blowing Rock lays the Globe Forest. As part of Pisgah National Forest, the Globe Forest is home to trees and old growth that date between 130 and 328 years old, older than most cities and towns in North Carolina.
The Boone Town Council, Blowing Rock Town Council and Watauga County Board of Commissions passed unanimous resolutions in 2006 opposing logging and promoting the creation of a Grandfather National Scenic Area.
If the law is passed, 25,000 acres of land in the forest will be protected from logging.
For such a law to
be passed, support is needed from North Carolina representatives.
Currently, two representatives do not support the law, making it harder
to gain national support. Even with the support of representatives, it
may take years for this law to pass, N.C. Forest Defense Group member
Michelle Matheson said.
Logging is set to begin as early as June 2010.
The
Pisgah National Forest has been subject to clear cutting in the past.
This means much of the old growth in the forest has been cut down
before, making room for new growth.
The Globe Forest area is home to 142 rare plant and animal species that will most likely be killed once logging begins.
N.C. Forest Defense Group member Atilla Nemecz said.
Matheson
said if the logging itself does not kill them, they will be destroyed
by the herbicides the U.S. Forest Service is planning on using.
Close to
20 environmentalists and concerned citizens camped in the Globe Forest
this Labor Day weekend to raise awareness of what could happen in the
future.
Members of the N.C. Forest Defense Group are planning on camping out every weekend until October.
“We want
to build a local and state support network of people who are willing to
bring this issue to the forefront using all tools varying from
non-violent protests and press coverage, to doing outreach to visitors
who frequent the Globe Forest,” Matheson said.
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