The USFS proposal calls for a 39 percent timber productf on increase from these public lands. In some areas of the country (including Virginia and West Vir-ginia's milli on-acre Blue Ridge section) the plan would allow a four-fold increase in the number of roads and declare 85 percent of the forest eligible for harvest If allowed, this natfonal plan would permit large private timber and enexgy companies carte blanche control over these lands and their water resources. Some opposftion to this new "resaurces management" plan, particularly in the Tennessee and North Carolina regions near the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, has begun to come together. Environmental activists, loggers, and hunters in some areas are putting aside differences to protest this threat to our diminishing forestland, but important and final deci-sions will be made in the coming months (some as early as this September 30th) and it is necessary that the public let the federal controllers know its outrage and resolve.

The issues and conditions involved in this plan can be confusing, but here are just a few of the hard facts: * This plan evolved because of pressure from the timber lobby to increase harvests on public lands. * There is actually a timber glut in the United Stares at this time, and the large timber companies (because of costs in road building and tree marking) can make a greater profft by cutting on public lands than on their own woodlots (which can be saved untjl the glut lifts). * Cost cutting by harvesting on public forests allows the large companies to squeeze out local loggers who do selective cutting. {Clear-cut ting always favors the high capital-intensive, heavy equipment boys. )

* The need of the government for profit from ti~beris a lot of baloney: timber sales from the publf c lands returns 39

page 4 cents for every dollar invested; while tourism In the wilderness areas and national forests returns 50 dollars for every dollar investment. * Selective cutting in large forest areas means sensible use of valuable hardwoods, little waste of younger growth, preservation of wildlife and plant species, and protection of the watershed; clear-cut ting means much of the harvest goes to pulp and the integrity of water-shed and soil are damaged by heavy equip-ment. (Clear-cuts retain less rainfall.)

* Research from the U.S. Forest Service's own factlities shows that 80 to 90 percent of soil erosion and se.dimenta-tion of streams comes from building logging access roads.

* Complex forest stands are necessary to maintain wildlife, but clear-cut areas under contract tend to be replaced by quick-yield pines which can compromise an entire regional eco-system. * The USFS has yet to develop wide standards or regulations in national forests for the extraction of oil, gas, or minerals. * Private mining companies are allowed by USFS to do extensive exploration and prospectfng studies in the forest areas but to keep their findings secret. * It should always be remembered that the Forest Service always initially demands much, much more than It needs or wants so as to bargain backwards and end

I with plenty. * And, finally, we should note that the

I Department of Energy is looking closely at all national forests and their rock forma- I tions as possible dump sites for high level radioactive wastes. Because SO 1 percent of the nuclear power plants are I ROW east of the Mississippi, there is a movement (with western politicians pushing hard) to place eastern nuclear wastes permanently in sacrifice or discard areas in the Appalachian mountains; this will be much easier to do if waste areas can be quietly created by clear-cuts and total mineral extraction in the already uninha-bited motlntains and valleys of a national forest. Ron" let these things happen! It is not too late but time is short. Begin now by showing those "in charge" your resolve to protect our forests. The Main Off ice of the Forest Service is at 14th and Independence Avenues, SW, Washington, DC 20050. (202) 447-3957. and its "chief" is R. Max Peterson, Box 2417, Kashington, D.C. 20013 Let them know that you will not tclerate the 50-year plan. Remember: politicjans and bureaucrats have a built-in terror of public reaction. Row long arc we gaing to be their meal-ticket while they destroy our forests? If you live in the east, you can make an effort to protect the lands of Virginia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Georgia by confronting:

Joe Alcox Regional Forester 1720 Peachtrce Rd. Atlanta, Ga. 30367 Give him hell! He is suppose to be 1tcaring" for this region. If you need more details,write to one of the more active groups, like: Western North Caqolina Alliance Eox 117 Murphy, M.C. 28629 To help with nuclear storage questions, write: Blue ,Ridge Envlranmental Defense League Box 88 Glendale Springs, N.C. 28906 For a more western perspective and for information on the great underground con-spiracy to grow more trees, send a few dollars and get in touch with: Friends of the Trees Box 1C64 Tnnasket, Wash. 98855 and

Earth First!

Box 5871 Tucson, Ariz. 85703