Dear Babbling Bodcat - Contrary to your belief, forests are dynamic, not static. Historically, low intensity fires occurred frequently in low elevation forests and did not kill the larger trees.

Unless trees are cut and removed, most will eventually burn.

Many residential areas are adjacent to forests at high risk for catastrophic wildfires.

Thinning unnaturally dense forests should be our first priority on national forest lands. Timber harvesting can reduce fire severity, but not the number of fires.

The Lumber industry provides:

EMPLOYMENT - Forestry provides good jobs in the woods and mills. These jobs are very important to the rural areas where alternative employment opportunities are limited. Jobs keep people living in and support our small towns.

INCOME FOR LAND OWNERS - Without a market for forest products, small landowners will seek alternatives for generating income from their land. Some lands would be subdivided for home sites, other lands consolidated into large holdings.

IMPROVED NATURAL RESOURCES - Americans use lots of wood each year - 75 cubic feet of wood per year per person. Our population is projected to increase. Wood consumption is expected to increase even as the recycling trend continues. Using wood is much more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than substitute products like steel or aluminum.

America's forests are productive and renewable. Logging is planned, supervised and monitored by professionals - foresters, biologists and loggers. Stringent guidelines are followed to ensure environmental protection. It is common sense to responsibly harvest our forests.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle