Southeast Forestry Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 11, 2000

Logging of North Carolina pine and softwoods will increase 39 percent by 2019. Hardwood logging is expected to grow 29 percent, according to a scientific panel commissioned by Govenor James Hhunt in response to the growing impact of chip mills on the state's forests. The scientists released their findings last night at a hearing in Statesville, in front of more than 300 concerned citizens.

The experts - who were assembled from N.C. State and Duke Universities - confirmed that logging in the state has indeed increased as the number of mills grew from two to 1980 to 18 today, reporting that 75 percent of pulpwood harvested in western North Carolina was consummed by chip mills. In the Piedmont, the portion is 49 percent. The logging caused water quality problems at nearly a third of the sites inspected during the 18-month study.

Citizens' groups, local government officials and the tourism industry are alarmed by the trend, saying water quality and tourism dollars are threatened.

"Studies show that clearcuts adversely affect the tourism industry," said Jim Morton, Marketing Director of the Grandfather Mountain reserve in Linville. "Tourism, recreation, and other businesses thrive economically in our region because of the quality of life depends on scenic vistas and clear mountain streams."

Science Panel Offers No Solutions; Citizens Offer Up Their Own

The scientists were not asked to recommend solutions. However, a growing number of citizen, business and environmental groups are calling for steps to improve forest management and help landowners under pressure from industrial-scale logging. They say officials must get a better handle on where cutting is about to take place, so that adequate protection of both natural resources and neighboring properties can be provided.

Chatham County Commissioner Gary Phillips is calling for a commitment from the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"Now that the study is completed, we need some solutions to ensure our children are left with the same water quality and scenic jewels that have made North Carolina so special," Phillips said before the hearing. "Mandatory Best Management Procatices - a set of proven forest management techniques - are the easiest and best thing we can do for our water... the timber industry needs to play by the same rules as everyone else."

Citizens groups, including the Dogwood Alliance and others, say effective pre-harvest notification system will ensure that compliance with these safeguards is adequately monitored in the field.

"The Division of Forestry doesn't even know where many logging sites are. They call us to ask where peoople are cutting. How can they catch the violations if they don't know where the logging is happening," said Lynne Faltraco of Concerned Citizens of Rutherford County. Ms. Faltraco lives two-and-a-half miles from a chip mill.

In the coming months, a coalition of business and citizens' groups will be calling on the Governor, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the state legislature to adopt a set of solutions to protect North Carolina forests and ensure water quality. The policies include mandatory Best Management Practices, logger certification and prior notification.

For more information on the govornors forest study or the solutions needed to protect North Carolina resources and property owners from the consequences of industrial-scale logging, contact: