TIMBER: Radicals stand in the way

“There’s Money in That Timber.” Really? There used to be.

Before a few, very radical so-called environmental activist groups well funded by far left groups waged war on the natural resource industries in this country. Don’t think for a minute they will sit back and let us start managing our natural resources again. Not timber, not oil, not minerals. The U.S. could be the most self-sufficient country in the world if it wasn’t for these radicals. The fires in Colorado and other states that are burning out of control are all the fault of these same Earth loving groups. Unmanaged timberlands will eventually be managed by mother nature, and mother nature is a harsh manager.

A managed forest is much more fire resistant. Add to that we build our homes in the middle of these unmanaged forests and want firefighters to risk their lives to save these homes. If these homes don’t burn the residents return to a black deforested moonscape.

In another article later in the paper Attorney General Wasden warns us of scams perpetrated on those who live through these disasters. The real scam started more than 30 years ago when these radical environmental groups lied to us about managing our natural resources. The only way to prevent these “natural” disasters is to start managing our national forest again. There is nothing natural about these fires. Using modern techniques and equipment we can accomplish this and return some well needed tax dollars to our state’s and counties.

PETE REED

Hayden