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.

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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.