We have similar problems in western North Carolina to those described yesterday by Bill Croke, with the anti logging activists and people building deep into the mountains. Insect attacks on hemlock and white pine trees that have built up a heavy fuel load and I have been told there will be some big fires this fall and winter.   In addition, a lot of our wildlife population is suffering.   Those who lobby against logging don't seem to recognize that very little with nutritional value grows in deep shade.  Grouse have become rarer and bears have been wandering closer to population centers looking for food as the forage plants that thrive at the woods' edge have gotten crowed out.What amuses me is that those building the trophy homes genuinely believe they are being environmentally sensitive because they use certain so called environmentally friendly materials.  Someone who was truly environmentally friendly wouldn't build on a...(Read Full Post)