Mark Rey: Bush administration is doing its part to safeguard Tongass forest

Minneapolis (Red) Star Tribune ^ | February 2, 2004 | Mark Rey

[presidio9]

Your readers may be confused by your Jan. 5 editorial, "Timber giveaway." The Bush administration takes protection of this nation's forests seriously.

The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is home to centuries-old trees, bears, eagles, wolves and five different kinds of wild salmon. And, after nearly 100 years of multi-use management of these forests for fisheries, timber, minerals, recreation and subsistence activity, they are healthy, vibrant forests with no listed threatened or endangered species.

The state of Alaska challenged the roadless rule in court, claiming it violated a number of laws, including a national law that applies specifically to Alaska. That law protects millions of acres of land by limiting use in national monuments, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas. It also has a "no more wilderness" clause prohibiting the federal government from setting aside additional land. If the Bush administration had not worked to reach a settlement with the state of Alaska, and the rule had been overturned, it is quite possible that much more of Alaska's treasured landscape could have been opened up for road building.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Don't waste your breath arguing with the Strib.

[jonno]

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