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Easley Again Steps Up to Protect National Forests

From the NC Conservation Network

North Carolina governor, Mike Easley, has filed a petition with the US Secretary of Agriculture to protect North Carolina National Forests from logging and road building. Governor Easley was the second governor in the country to file such a petition.

In the press release Easley said,

“These forest areas are vital not only for their natural beauty and the recreational opportunities they offer, but also for their environmental benefits, including providing clean water and wildlife habitat. They are unique places of unspoiled wilderness and beauty and must be protected and preserved.”

President Bush replaced the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule with a state-by-state petition process. Currently there are no guarantees that the Secretary of Agriculture will accept the state petitions. The formal request submitted by Governor Easley was signed by over 21,000 people and would protect almost 174,000 acres of roadless forests in Croatan, Nantahala, and Pisgah National Forests.

JW Randolph

Raised on the banks of the Tennessee River, JW's work to create progress in his home state and throughout Appalachia has been featured on the Rachel Maddow Show, The Daily Kos and Grist. He served first as Appalachian Voices’ Legislative Associate and then Tennessee director until leaving to pursue a career in medicine in 2012.

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