Dear Editor:

While 1 appreciate Ross Muirlicad’s <vironmentalism and care for the community, I fear he has a complete anti- logging bias.

Tt is exactly the kind of anti-logging attitude in Ross Muirhead’s-Dec. 20 letter that results in ecologically and ¢co- nomically poor management of forested lands. If such arti- cles influence the community and especially municipal politicians to be biased against all logging in Greater Vancouver Regional District

» (GVRD) watersheds, then I - must speak out against such . biases. » In the natural world of . Pacific coastal forests, trees are : sémoved through many natur-

al events: fires, wind, insects, and flooding.

That is why, during most summers, the GVRD Watershed Management Department spends part of the summer months putting out forest fires caused by lightning strikes to old snags.

In effect, by minimizing the natural clearing processes, through fire suppression and other protection measures, an ecological imbalance is creat- ed. In other words, by not having clearings in a forest system as a result of fire sup- pression, , pest control, and no

logging combined, we can create some equally ‘damaging effects to an ecosystem as we

-would by reckless logging.

If we are to have healthy

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forested watersheds, some for- est clearings should take place whether it be through fire or tree cutting.

Forestry is complex and deals with several levels of sci- ence, which I don’t want to bore readers with; I will how- ever, simply state that clearing trees can be done to enhance the biodiversity of an area.

Logging can be done to enhance wildlife habitat. Think of all the plant and ani- mal species that benefit from forest clearings such as pio- neer tree species, shrubs and flowering plants, and the ani- mals such as deer, bears, but- terflies, honey bees, and hum- mingbirds which go to clear- ings to feed on shrubs, berries and flowers. *

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Letter laden with anti-logging bias

In forests where recreation takes place (not the protected watersheds), clearing trees can enhance the recreational use of an arca, creating view- points, picnic sites and other activity area And of course, logging elp the economy

ofan arca, P

What worries me about

Ross Muirhead’s request for

“municipal politicians to step in and ban watershed logging and road building,” is that the community will take a gener- alist approach to management of our forests and watersheds.

It is much easier to simply say “stop all logging,” than to fook at micro-sites within the watersheds and identify forest areas that should be cleared and areas that should be kept

as old forests.

Anti-logging biases like any other bias, including racism, are based on fear and mistrust. We all hate to admit to our biases, but if you hear the word “clear-cut” ‘and you shudder and have visions of horrific ccosystem devasta- tion, you have likely been indoctrinated with the anti- logging bias.

T have seen some of those horrific clearcuts and I have also secn community water- sheds where the forest clear- ings became meadows for wildlife or resilient young forests. Logging can be done in an ecologically sound man- ner, based on science, based on balance and the right objectives.

I hops that the readers will recognize that there is good logging and that there is bad logging. Most of all, I hope that the community will take a responsible approach to the management of our water- sheds and will accept that clearing trees can enhance the health of the forest, can enhance wildlife habitat and will have economic benefits.

This letter is not endorsing massive clearcuts and reckless logging and unnecessary road-building in our water- sheds. It is asking readers not ee be pyciudiced aga against any

logging in the water- sheds, and to trust that forest clearings, at the right scale. and in the right location, can

be done to create ecological“

and economical benefits. ; Jill Deulin a Freelance Forsst Technician" and Park Interpreter .- . North Vancouver _

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