Wilderness

“While in Seattle, I read about a plan to create a new wilderness area east of the city.

Well, as wilderness lands increase, does this put more pressure on other forests? Do we simply get wilderness in exchange for more cutovers in other areas? Would it not be better to spread the joy equally?

I don't have a position, but most of our wilderness is in the West, right? And it seems that I've read that one of the high growth logging areas was the Southeast - because of public sentiment.

Wouldn't it be better to cut more where we have lots of land (West) and less where we don't (East).”

“More and more, the timber industry is moving to private land to avoid the hassle and lawsuits associated with timbering on public land (NFS). At least in the west that is. There is growing concern from the 'non-eco-freaks', because the lack of logging on NFS land has increased the fuel supply. The increased fuel supply is leading to larger forest fires.

I still believe that the ultimate goal of the eco-freaks is to totally cut off all access to everyone, except themselves. The first step in there goal is the roadless initiative. Watch and see. Roads first, people next.”

“Interesting point, Chief, about increased use of private land.

So, then, the limited amount of private logging land will have increased logging pressure. So, you will have people and animals living near these lands paying a disproportionate price for the creation of wilderness?”

“Every environmental or public land decision involves trading one set of values for another. The environmental movement often does not think out their beliefs to the long term pluses and minuses and all the trade-offs required.”

“Reformed lurker, did you fly into Seattle on your trip? Just wondering if you noticed all the clearcuts out the plane window as you passed over the Cascades. There's been plenty of logging here for decades and most of the best and biggest trees are gone, except where there's wilderness.”

“If you want an opinion on wilderness ask Mike Vandeman.”

“Good points,

However, while there is more land in the west that doesn't mean there are more trees or it is more economical to get them.

Anyone who has been in both the west and northwest knows where trees grow bigger and faster. In the northern rockies it can take from 50 to 100 years to grow a good saw log. Because of the erosion on steep mountainsides some areas have been brushfields since they were logged or burned 100 years ago.

In the south east a saw log can be grown in half the time or less. Also harvesting on relatively level ground is quick, easy and inexpensive.

Also consider how much arid ground in the west doesn't even grow trees.

That being said I think it is nice to have wilderness available in every region. But I do think we have gone too far in elimenating logging on roaded NFS land.”

“one thing most people don't know is that 90% of all timber in the s.e. is privatly owned, the diversity of these areas is all pine, with some hardwoods. hopefully logging these areas will take pressure off of public lands, but the government makes it alot cheaper to do business, with as much hardwood as you can cut”

“I think they should hack down every tree in the Smoky Mountains.


































Just kidding.”

“I heard there's a big fight going on now about cutting 8600 acres in western PA on NFS land. They want to clearcut and plant all cherry trees because they're worth 20 more than other logs. I don't know all the details, but they'll probably come up with some comprimise.
I know in my area there's been a big surge in logging on both public and private land. It seems everywhere I go I hear chainsaws and see logging activity. They're in the process now of logging 40,000 acres of watershed land here. When that's done it will probably all be sold for development without any thought to what will happen to our water supply.”