Federal Court Ruling Leaves Future of Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan in Limbo

<p><strong>Asheville Area -- August 25, 2026:</strong> The long-term management strategy for Western North Carolina’s public lands faces significant uncertainty following a federal court decision regarding endangered wildlife protections.</p><p>Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger ruled that the USDA Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act when crafting the revised management plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah N