Doug: You are right, you have over simplified the issue. However, National Forest are, indirectly, being converted into National Parks. Either by making them endangered species recovery areas (i.e. preserves), or old-growth forest reservations. I can't speak for the western US where Forest Service lands make up a greater percentage of the ownership, but the South is a different story. The spotted owl of the Pacific Northwest has received its share of the press, but the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is the spotted owl of the South. The US National Forest in the Southeast has been given the responsibility of "recovering" the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). Southeastern National Forests have been busy designing comprehensive management strategies on how to manage for this bird. These Forests have been given target populations that represent the required population to guarantee genetic viability of the species. The majority of the current populations are genetically isolated and are sure to dwindle over time if nothing is done. The Conecuh National Forest is a good example to back up Doug Marshall's discussion of "National Forest=Parks?" The Conecuh National Forest Contains approximately 15 mated, and their long term strategy target population is 309 mated pairs for "recovery." The average acreage (habitat) requirement for one mated pair is 200 acres. Simple Math: 200 acres x 309 mated pairs = 61,800 acres This is over 70% of the National Forest that is designated for Timber Production. This is the case throughout the South, and as we look closer at our forest... more unique ecosystems become apparent and in need of protection. Where will this protection take place? There is a desperate need to make environmental protection in the best interest of private landowners. In the case of the red-cockaded woodpecker, REGULATION has promoted private landowners to "shoot, shovel, and shut up." Aggressive regulation has done more to "harm" the species than to promote its well being. I use to think that National Forest in the South would be made into RCW preserves, but now I know. Sincerely, A Practical Environmentalist
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