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In the last month of the political campaign the wilderness issue has risen to the forefront. Have Vermonters been getting fair representation from our Washington delegation? I don’t think so. Are our traditional uses being "sold out"? What do I mean by "sold out"? Our Washington delegation ignored local public comments, and to the point where they wouldn’t attend the meetings (they sent staff), even upon special requests. Our Washington delegation ignored eight towns who requested no more wilderness designation. Our Washington delegation tried to block full congressional hearings and testimony by jamming the bill through before hearings could be held. Our Washington delegation ignored formal appeals currently under consideration. U.S. forest land is already protected by virtue of public ownership. It will never be condos or developed, which we all agree on. Kudos to Governor Douglas, Tarrant, Rainville, Shepard and the Vermont Traditions Coalition for efforts in keeping U.S. forests open to all Vermonters. Vermont’s National Forest previously provided great outdoor experiences for all users. Creation of wilderness such as Bristol Cliffs and Breadloaf has limited access and caused a decline in wildlife due to habitat loss. Older growth forest reaching high above the forest floor does not provide the needed cover and food source for wildlife. The economic value of logging in Vermont is high and has long been our culture. Vermont sawmills should be selling more Vermont timber, not importing it from other states at much higher expense. It’s like planting your garden, not harvesting it, then going to another vegetable stand to buy you vegetables. Over the past several years I have attended many U.S. Forest planning meetings. The lengthy and very expensive study found no economic or social need for more Wilderness designation. Only a well managed working forest thrives, not sealing it in a bottle as the Wilderness advocates would have us believe. Are we being sold out? I believe so. Bob Patterson Lincoln ____________ |
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