This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the U.S. Forest Service is under scrutiny for using emergency measures to expedite road construction and logging projects. While the agency asserts these actions are necessary for safety, communities in regions such as Big Ivy and Shope Creek express concerns over potential environmental impacts.
Residents and environmental groups argue that these fast-tracked projects bypass essential environmental reviews, leading to heightened tensions at public forums. Concerns have even escalated to legal action; last November, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of MountainTrue and the Center for Biological Diversity. The suit challenged a timber sale in Nolichucky Gorge, claiming the agency failed to provide public notice. The lawsuit was eventually dropped after the Forest Service retracted the contract and loggers vacated the area. However, local communities remain vigilant as other projects continue.
Recent meetings hosted by the Forest Service aimed to inform the public about plans for new roads and salvage logging in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. However, residents like Cynthia Camilleri from Big Ivy voiced strong opposition, questioning the necessity of new roads. “Why can’t we just use the road that’s there, and why do we need new roads?” Camilleri asked, suggesting that new roads could pave the way for further logging activities.
Will Harlan, a biologist with the Center For Biological Diversity and Barnardsville resident, raised concerns about the proposed road traversing wetlands and potentially impacting old-growth forests. He noted that the Forest Service appeared open to exploring alternative routes during recent discussions. The Forest Service has indicated that any long-term plans for Big Ivy Road will undergo thorough consultation to evaluate environmental impacts, which they currently consider speculative.
Meanwhile, the Shope Creek salvage project aims to remove heavy fuels that pose fire risks to nearby homes and infrastructure. The Forest Service is engaging the community on this issue, with a meeting scheduled at the Riceville Fire Department at 6 p.m. tonight. Another meeting at the Burnsville Town Center has been postponed to January 15, 2026.
