Endangered Species

Conrad hit the mark with his cartoon quoting Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan saying, “Endangered species act goes too far!” (May 22). The cartoon depicts humans and indeed our very Earth along with the spotted owl, red squirrel, and others.

Some experts predict that one-third of the world’s species will become extinct by the year 2000. These species have significance beyond themselves, being essential components of the delicate web of life and often indicating the health of the ecosystem. We must see that loss of genetic diversity affects the life-support and immune systems of humans and of Earth.

We must no longer swallow timber industry rhetoric defining the struggle in ancient forest areas as an owls vs. jobs debate. It is an essential planetary life-support system vs. short-term liquidation issue. The last few years have shown record timber industry profits, record number of board feet cut, and record low number of employees in the timber industry of the Northwest. Are owls and environmentalists stealing the jobs? No, the culprits are over-cutting, automation and log exports. Let us take a wise course protecting species diversity, rather than worsening the ancient forest destruction and drought situations. Let us consider long-term ecological and economic needs rather than continue with clear-cutting--extinction and boom-bust cycles.

BRUCE CAMPBELL

Los Angeles