January 11, 2008

Please accept these comments on the Western Oregon Plan Revisions (WOPR)

I am strongly opposed to the commercial logging of our remaining,
magnificent, old growth forests. Therefore I am very concerned with the
direction the BLM is headed with the management of over 2.5 million
acres of federal forests under the Western Oregon Plan Revisions. I want
nothing less than all old growth forest protected, providing the myriad
of ecological services we currently benefit from.

It is important for managers to understand that the culture of
Oregonians is connected to old growth forests. It is one of the defining
characteristics of our region. We have reverence and respect for these
ancient beings. How is it that after living on this earth for centuries
now it is time for these trees to be cut? In what way are you improving
the life of the average Oregonian by destroying a part of our natural
heritage that is defining, unique, and irreplaceable?

Commercial logging of old-growth forests is nothing more than
destruction. It destroys a part of our culture and our landscape that
cannot be replaced. It destroys the incredible diversity and complexity
that only old-growth forests possess. Structurally, old-growth forests
cannot be improved upon, and it is all ready at a historic low in terms
of areal coverage. Logging old-growth forests threatens all ready
endangered species, both plant and animal that society wants preserved
for future generations to experience and enjoy.

I wish to make it clear that I support thinning in densely stocked
plantations. These are the areas that are most susceptible to fire and
disease outbreaks, and they do not provide good habitat like the old
growth does. It is a mistake to clearcut native forest and convert it to
plantations, but we have to deal with a tremendous amount of Public Land
where this has all ready occurred. I urge you to focus on the plantation
thinning and bring the plantations toward a more diverse and natural
structure. Old growth forest should not be harvested to meet fiber needs
when there are so many other areas we could get our fiber from. We
simply lose a tremendous amount more than is gained from logging these
forests for one need while the forest ecosystem is providing an array of
amazing ecological benefits.

The old growth forest has taken centuries to develop and provides a
stand structure that we cannot mimic or re-create. It is simply common
sense that species that depend on the unique structure, function and
processes that old growth forest provide need this forest preserved and
are all ready suffering from lack of habitat. I am speaking about
species like the Marbled Murrelet, and Northern Spotted Owl, whom
directly need the forest structure that these stands provide. And, the
salmon and other aquatic organisms that are dependent upon the clean,
cool waters that old growth forests filter and protect. And this forest
that remains, besides being a remnant of a once widespread forest
structure, undoubtedly is providing habitat for endangered species that
do not recognize our manmade boundaries. This puts all species in need
of old growth habitat in a tough position, with a lack of habitat to
disperse to. You will only exacerbate the problem by cutting more old
growth. This is common logic that anyone can understand.

Economically it makes no sense to cut old growth. The entire range of
factors affected, sedimentation of streams, loss of wildlife habitat,
degraded recreational opportunities and loss of our cultural heritage
hurts the local economy in the present and in the future. Numerous
studies have found that increased old growth logging actually hurts
(rather than improves) the local and regional economies of the West.

Our region will reap great rewards if we save all that remains of our
ancient forest. We are at a critical threshold evidenced by the many
threatened species that are associated with old- growth forests and the
overwhelming sentiment of the Public is that these forests should be
preserved.

Once you cut old growth forest you cannot get it back. Please protect
these stands, and work to take the Pacific Northwest toward a future of
complexity in our forest stands, where old growth is an integral part of
the landscape that can be seen scattered throughout the larger
landscape. Recognize the value of old growth remnant forest structure,
and the incredible return that Oregonians will receive 20, 50 and 100
years down the road by preserving this forest. Saving our pre-European
forest stands in the Northwest is an outstanding opportunity that would
be absolutely tragic to pass up.

Protect our world-class PNW old-growth forests! These great old trees
tell a story of historic events and climate change. Clearcutting this
forest is like destroying a historic library. Knowledge of our
ecosystems history are preserved within these trees!

These ancient beings are older than our nation! Reverence and respect
begins here.

David Mildrexler

PO Box 715

Joseph, OR 97846