I do think the problem is presently confined to this state. I just hope it's not a shadow of things to come elsewhere. But if they did it here, they could eventually do it in other places. I think the problem here originated with some activist groups taking the USFS to court, trying to ban all logging in the Bankhead and Talladega National Forests. They failed, but they did succeed in almost doubling the size of the designated wilderness area where no logging can take place. That made the Regional Forest Service mad and they over reacted, IMHO. I may be wrong, but that's my take on it anyways. I just hate that it happened. I'm sure those groups were well intentioned, but just like the dumpers, meth-heads and off-roaders, they've managed to ruin a good thing for everyone else.
Well, you've got big problems with those beetles, I've heard about them all over the south.
And I agree completely that it's vital public lands remain open to the public for good uses like hiking, riding, hunting and camping, just like it's vital that they remain working timber and get logged and replanted. I am not a huge fan of off-road bikes, but even they have a part of the forest here designated just for them. It's vital to us that the public forestlands not get gated on us... Many of the private ones here already are.