Mt. Bikers Zero. On the cliffs above
Little Lost Cove Creek a group of mountain bikers form a zer0 overlooking
an expanse of unbroken native forest. The Pisgah National Forest is one
of the country's most recreated national forests and produces far more
revenue from these activities than logging. Nonetheless, the forest service
continues to clearcut second growth stands like those pictured above. The
Western North Carolina Alliance and the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition
have found over 38,000 acres of old growth in eastern national forests,
an estimate that far exceeds forest service figures. The forest service
in eastern national forests often justifies their timber sales by saying
essentially, "it isn't old growth." As it turns out, many times it has
been and recently, thanks to the work of the above mentioned groups, this
has come to light. According to the recently uncovered papers of now departed
Forest Service visionary, William Ashe, when the Forest Service holdings
were first secured for the Pisgah and later for the Nantahala National
Forests in North Carolina, internal Forest Service estimates of primary
forest were as much as 30% of inventory. "Presumably" unaware of what they
were cutting, rare old growth forests have been severly diminshed since
these lands were secured for the American public.
Hikers Circle. Pisgah National Forest
hikers gather in support of Zero Cut. For information on how to help
achieve an end to commerical logging in North Carolina national forests
contact:
