RALEIGH (AP) — Two federal agencies are investigating whether managers at North Carolina State University’s massive Hofmann Forest illegally drained wetlands.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported (http://bit.ly/1ksbl4x) that the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency are looking into the allegations.
Mickey Sugg with the corps in Wilmington says his agency has reviewed extensive ditch draining in the forest near Jacksonville. Sugg says some of the work appears to be illegal and the Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing the case.
A North Carolina State foundation is working to sell the 79,000 acre forest to an Illinois company. A small group of environmentalists and foresters are trying to block the $150 million sale in court.
University spokesman Brad Bohlander says the school is cooperating with the corps.