After lawsuit, U.S. Forest Service stops logging project in Nolichucky River Gorge 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Just days after a coalition of conservation groups sued the Forest Service over an unlawful logging operation in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, the loggers removed their equipment from the area and the Forest Service canceled the timber contract. The move is a significant win for North Carolina’s national forests and the communities that depend on them.  

The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of MountainTrue and the Center for Biological Diversity, sued the Forest Service in November after learning from local community members about a logging operation in the Pisgah National Forest near Poplar, N.C. Documents produced during litigation showed that the Forest Service had sold publicly-owned timber in a backroom deal without any public notice or an open bidding process.  

The agency has described the logging as intended to remove storm debris, but much of the project area is healthy, intact forest. When conservation groups asked the Forest Service to limit logging to portions of the area with storm damage, the agency refused, prompting the lawsuit. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the Forest Service stopped the logging operation and loggers removed their equipment from the site. Fewer than 20 acres were logged on the 120-acre tract, and logging stopped before it impacted the healthy, intact portion. The conservation groups voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit on Monday, after the agency canceled the contract. 

“North Carolina’s national forests are full of natural wonders that support local economies and are sources of immense pride for nearby communities. Public notice, transparency, and accountability are the absolute bare minimum of what the Forest Service owes our communities before it opens these forests for logging,” Sam Evans, Leader of SELC’s National Forests and Parks Program, said. “As long as the Forest Service refuses to do even that bare minimum, we are going to continue to haul them into court.”  

The logging project ignored the agency’s own Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan, which directs the Forest Service to manage the area as undeveloped backcountry and a reserve for old-growth forests. The project area is designated as a North Carolina Natural Heritage Natural Area, is home to rare plants, and sits on steep slopes above the Nolichucky River—a world-famous whitewater rafting destination. Logging in this area threatened to leave permanent scars on the landscape, pollute the Nolichucky River, and imperil the area’s incredible backcountry qualities.  

“One of the country’s wildest gorges was spared additional harm because local communities spoke up. They saved an exceptional forest, imperiled wildlife, and a world-class river,” said Will Harlan, Southeast Director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Unfortunately, wild places will continue to be targeted by this administration, so we will continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with communities to protect beloved forests and rivers.” 

However, even the small area logged will leave long-lasting scars. The Forest Service allowed loggers to bulldoze roads from the river’s banks into the backcountry area, causing long-lasting damage that the agency seemingly has no plans to fix. 

“Unfortunately, it seems like this hide-the-ball strategy is becoming more and more common with the Forest Service, leaving the public and nearby communities in the dark about what is happening on our incredible shared public lands,” Josh Kelly, Resilient Forests Program Director at MountainTrue, said. “We encourage folks to keep an eye out and to reach out to local conservation organizations if you see something concerning.”