New Policy Against Cutting of Old Growth Timber

The Chief of the Forest Service, Mike Dombeck, spoke at Duke University on Conservation Investments for Future Generations. He listed four principal Forest Service goals and devoted specific attention to Old Growth, citing the views of Gifford Pinchot and Aldo Leopold. Only 3% of our ancient trees have escaped the timber industry’s attack. It is vital that this small remnant of our once great forests be left standing. Unfortunately, the wide planks cut from trees that are hundreds of years old are especially prized by the industry because of the high prices they bring.

Even if not reappointed, Mr. Dombeck, who would be a great asset to the Bush Administration, cannot be dismissed from his post till 120 days after the change of administration (May 19) under federal rules.

Mr. Dombeck emphasized new rules announced January 4 which reduce the enormous network of logging roads in public lands. These roads if put end to end would circle the earth 15 times!

All who want to see forest creatures thrive in their woodland habitat and everyone who supports conservation of the public lands need to express strong support for Mr. Dombeck’s goal of barring the cutting of old growth timber and for the ruling that shrinks the network of logging roads.