The potential to heal communities and protect sustainable supplies of ecological goods and services from public lands seemed great. Future generations will never forgive us if we do not speak up about the ecological, economic, and social consequences of continuing the many activities that damage local and regional natural resources. To do so, please sign the enclosed letter to President Clinton at the end, beneath our signatures. The law and science groundrules were abandoned and the regional controversy became a national crisis.
Forest health implies much more than trees.
A forest includes the many interacting plants, animals and microorganisms that occupy a region. A healthy forest depends on the cycle of birth and death to sustain itself. Because Senator Craig's bill is not based on sound science, it will squander natural resources and divide communities. Dead and dying trees are critical to maintain forest biodiversity, to control diseases and pests of forests, to protect water supplies, including water quality, and to maintain healthy fish populations. Forest practices that focus narrowly on tree health deny these connections and damage resources critical to regional economies.