[VOA]

We still have spots in Idaho from the 1910 fire that nothing will grow on. We do more
damage to the environment by not proactively managing it. Of course, every time you
try to do that, there is an environmental lawsuit from someone.

I'm no forestry expert, but this statement does seem to fall in line with what I saw
on a (suprisingly good) episode of NOVA titled "Fire Wars" about a month ago.

The show illustrated how nature usually allowed for low-intensity fires that would clear out
the dead brush/fallen trees, leaving a forest with large trees with open grass land
as the forest floor.

Now the desire to prevent/extinguish fires seems to just allow for the accumulation
of starter fuel for mega-fires.
Of course, the management of "controlled burns" needs LOTS of work...the forestry
services don't seem to have their act totally together on this topic.

The show also talked about the Big Fire of 1910...just an incredible conflagration.
What got me was the stories of some of the fleeing survivors seeing the belly-up
fish in the streams turned into near-boiling cauldrons by the fire.

[madfly]

Of course, the management of "controlled burns" needs LOTS of work...the forestry services don't seem to have their act totally together on this topic.

The dept. of Interior is one litigious pool of quicksand, and those who worship GIAI(sp?) are so glad. It is a confusing mess.

Dr. Covington today, said there were 3 environmental groups. He claims The Nature Conservancy and the Grand Canyon Trust are the good guys. Then says Sierra Club does some good, but is responsible for irresponsible lawsuits. He hits one right on button, calling the Southwest Center for Biodiversity nothing but a fringe (fraudulent?) organization that exists ONLY to bring lawsuits.

I would like to see a moratorium on the Endangered Species Act, pending an investigation into Environmental Groups, NGO's and the foundations that fund them.