Globe Project Still Under Consideration By Scott Nicholson A decision on the Globe Project is still two or three weeks away, according to the U.S. Forest Service ranger who will make the decision. Joy Malone, ranger with the Grandfather District, said she is still reviewing comments made during a second public comment period for the controversial project, which would grant logging rights to the private timber industry and provide for the construction of new logging roads. The plan also includes herbicide use on the 212 acres covered in the forest management plan. The original proposal of 231 acres was scaled back slightly after public concern was expressed during the first public comment period last summer. Residents of Blowing Rock were concerned about the impact, both scenic and economic, of a potentially clear-cut gap in the valley below the resort town. The town commissioners passed a resolution opposing the plan, and the town of Boone and Watauga County both passed resolutions supporting a scenic designation that would prevent most timber cutting on the property, which is in the Pisgah National Forest. Malone and other forest service officials maintain the proposal is part of a regular maintenance and management plan for an 11,000-acre area, and that the forest service has a mandate to provide timber for private industry, with proceeds from the sales going to promote overall habitat health, maintain biodiversity, and battle invasive species. Malone met on the property with environmental organizations Monday to discuss their comments on the project. Several groups, particularly the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity project, have been vocal critics of the proposal. Malone will make the sole decision on the project, but that may not be the final word. An appeal can be filed within 45 days of Malone’s decision. Any appeal would be reviewed by the state supervisor of the National Forest Service, Mary Sue Hilliard. Several groups have sought congressional action for a scenic designation that would prevent the plan, but no legislation has been introduced. The project is still listed on the U.S. Forest Service’s 2007 management plan and was originally scheduled to begin this month.