LOCHSA: Don't buy it, N. Idaho

There are few things as confusing and annoying as the Lochsa Land Exchange (ULX).

One thing is clear - the exchange involves disposal of valuable public land when federal assets (and lands) are more valuable given the state of the economy, shifting markets and climate.

Communities in Idaho have depended on the Forest Service for seasonal jobs, collaboration with our universities, and a dependable employment base of educated professionals who support them. There was once pride in "Caring for the Land and Serving the People." We looked to the Forest Service as the highest caliber of public land management. Contrast that to what we know about industrial timber throughout history.

There has been disintegration of the Forest Service over the last several decades. The reasons are a complex weave of events and ideologies, but the bottom line - unless we want to privatize our national forests, we must fight to insure the Forest Service remains viable.

The ULX represents a knockout blow to the Forest Service in Idaho, and has implications for the West in general. As Congress is saying "no" to sales of surplus federal property, the Forest Service is proposing to trade large tracts of Idaho public land to a limited liability corporation with no loyalties, unless to a Timber Investment Management Organization (TIMO).

We all know about TIMOs and REITs - based elsewhere, traded on the stock exchange for the highest return to investors. Millions in assets are necessary to be a qualified investor. This is not you, me, most of public land ownership.

It's up to us to stop the effort to destroy the mission of the Forest Service. Call Clearwtater/Nez Perce National Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell (208) 983-1950. Tell him NO ACTION on the Lochsa Land Exchange.

MARILYN BECKETT

Moscow