It is a shame to let the people's high value resources rot on the ground. On several occasions, Peterson has spoken to his colleagues on the Resources committee on the same issue. The Allegheny National Forest is the greatest source for high-quality cherry wood. Will we import it from other countries resulting in the economic devastation of rural communities. Both Peterson and Anderson refute claims that revenue lost because of a decrease in timber harvest could be made up through tourism on the National Forests.
Recreation is important to the economy of rural communities.
Anderson explained that recreation on the ANF must increase 220 times to replace the current return from timber. We do not think that this will occur due to the limits of reality and the economic law of diminishing returns. There is absolutely no replacement for the energy, vitality and the activity generated from the sustainable harvest of forest crops.